DISCOGRAPHY 1957-2002 (20CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Howard Roberts (October 2, 1929 – June 28, 1992) was an American jazz
guitarist, educator and session musician.
He was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and began playing guitar at age 8. By
the time he was 15 he was playing professionally locally.
In 1950 he moved to Los Angeles. There, with the assistance of Jack
Marshall, he began playing with musicians including Bobby Troup, Chico
Hamilton and Barney Kessel. In about 1956, Bobby Troup signed him to Verve
Records as a solo artist. Around that time he decided to concentrate on
recording, both as a solo artist and session musician, a direction he
would continue until the early 1970s.
Roberts played rhythm guitar, lead guitar, bass and mandolin, both in the
studio and for television and movie projects, including lead guitar in the
theme from The Twilight Zone, guitar on the theme from The Munsters and
rhythm guitar on the theme from I Dream of Jeannie.
Artists Roberts backed included Georgie Auld, Peggy Lee (Fever), Eddie
Cochran (Sittin In The Balcony), Bobby Day (Rockin Robin), Jody Reynolds
(Endless Sleep), Shelley Fabares (Johnny Angel), Dean Martin (Houston),
The Monkees, Roy Clark, Chet Atkins, and The Electric Prunes.
In 1963, Roberts recorded Color Him Funky and H.R. Is A Dirty Guitar
Player, his first two albums after signing with Capitol. Produced by Jack
Marshall, they both feature the same quartet of with Roberts (guitar),
Chuck Berghofer (bass), Earl Palmer (drums) and Paul Bryant alternating
with Burkley Kendrix on organ. In all he recorded nine albums with Capitol
before signing with ABC Records/Impulse! Records.
From the late 1960s, Roberts began to focus on teaching rather than
recording. He traveled around the country giving guitar seminars, and
wrote several instructional books. For some years he also wrote an
acclaimed column "Jazz Improvisation" for Guitar Player magazine. To
support his teaching activities, he founded the Guitar Institute of
Technology, and Playback Publishing.
Roberts died of prostate cancer in Seattle, WA on June 28, 1992. His wife
Patty, also active in musical education and curriculum development,
continued in this field after his death.
He founded Roberts Music Institute in Seattle, WA, which is currently
owned by his son, Jay Roberts.