Robert Naughton (June 25, 1944 – December 3, 2022)[1] was an American jazz vibraphonist and pianist.

Biography

edit

Naughton was born in Boston on June 25, 1944.[2] He studied piano from the age of seven through his teens.[2] He played in rock bands and lounge bands.[2] After serving in the U.S. Army, he played organ with a blues band.[2] He studied painting in art school, then began playing vibraphone in the 1960s, accompanying Sheila Jordan and Perry Robinson.[2] In 1969 he recorded for the first time, releasing music on his label, Otic.[2] He also played piano on his first album.[2] He composed the score for the silent film Everyday by German artist Hans Richter.[2] In 1972 he played in the Jazz Composers Orchestra.[2] Beginning a year later, he worked with Wadada Leo Smith into the 1980s.[2] In 1976, he co-founded the not-for-profit Creative Musicians' Improvisers Forum, which supported musicians and presented concerts until it was dissolved six years later.[3] In 1978 and 1982 he toured Europe with Anthony Braxton in the Creative Music Orchestra.[2] In the 1980s, Naughton, seeking a steady income and health insurance, moved to Providence and began working as locksmith.[3] He recorded again in 2008, with drummer Laurence Cook and bassist Joe Fonda, leading to the album Pawtucket.[3]

Discography

edit

As leader

edit
  • Nature's Consort (Otic, 1969)
  • Understanding (Otic, 1972)
  • The Haunt (Otic, 1976)
  • Nauxtagram (Otic, 1979)
  • Solo Vibraphone (Otic, 1979)
  • Zoar (Otic, 2001)
  • Pawtucket (Otic, 2008)
  • Green Street (Otic, 2009)

As sideman

edit

With Anthony Braxton

With Leo Smith

With others

References

edit
  1. ^ Robert Naughton Obituary
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Dean, Roger T. (2003). "Naughton, Bobby [Robert]". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J323600. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
  3. ^ a b c Allen, Clifford (September 2014). "Encore: Bobby Naughton". The New York City Jazz Record. No. 149. p. 10.
edit