Bob Busby

Falkirk based. Classically trained on piano to Grade 8. Introduced to jazz in 1952 by Max Murray, who played centre forward for Glasgow Rangers FC in the late 1950s, via a Humphrey Lyttelton recording of ‘Get out of here and go on home’. A year later gave up piano and purchased a clarinet and, in 1957, with Charlie Malley (tpt) and Arthur Ferguson (drms), formed the ‘Memphis Jazz Band’ in Falkirk. Later while studying chemistry in Glasgow, met Graham Stark (pno) in jam sessions at the Tech and formed the ‘Tech JB’ and played with them regularly until 1961 when Stark left. Over a number of years only occasional gigs with Stark or John Arthur until 1969 when he joined ‘Dr McJazz’, a band formed by trombonist John Arthur. Thereafter a gap when in Oman 1978-82, the ‘West End JB’ in Edinburgh 1982-84, a gap whilst in Saudi Arabia 1984-86, the ‘Yelly Dug JB’ in Edinburgh 1986-88, and occasional gigs in Africa and Abu Dhabi 1988-97. Joined ‘Dave Keir’s Hot Five’ 1997-01, then Jim Petrie’s ‘Diplomats of Jazz’ in 2002 with which he remained until Petrie’s death in 2020. Also played with ‘Hugh Muldoon’s Jazz and Blues Band’ in Glasgow in 2000s.