Robert Leslie "Bob" Cornford (15 May 1940 – 18 July 1983) was a British jazz pianist and composer.

Early life

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Cornford was born in Brazil to British nationals. He received classical training in music, including studies at the Royal College of Music.[1][2]

Career

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Cornford joined the ensemble of John Dankworth in the 1960s while working as an arranger and orchestrator on for the BBC,[2] and he composed for the NDR Radiophilharmonie and the DR Big Band.[1] The NDR perform Cornford's Coalescence and In Memoriam.[1]

Beginning in 1977, Cornford was a member of the band Axel with Tony Coe and in 1983 performed with Lee Konitz.[1] He also worked with Phil Lee, Alan Skidmore, Bobby Wellins, Kenny Wheeler,[1] Chris Laurence, Humphrey Lyttelton, Palle Mikkelborg, Mark Murphy, Pat Smythe, Trevor Tomkins, and Norma Winstone and accompanied vocalists such as Scott Walker and Gitte Haenning.[citation needed]

Death

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Cornford died of a heart attack in 1983.[citation needed]

Discography

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  • Windmill Tilter: The Story of Don Quixote, John Dankworth and Kenny Wheeler (1969)[3]
  • Cool Beat (Studio G, 1974)
  • Perception (KPM Music, 1981)
  • Tournée du Chat, Tony Coe (Nato, 1983)
  • Music for the Movies with Tony Kinsey (KPM, 1982)
  • Traditions with Richard Harvey (KPM, 1983)
  • Long Shadows with Tony Coe, Kenny Wheeler and the NDR 'Pops' Orchestra (Chapter One, 2007)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Carr, Ian; Fairweather, Digby; Brian, Priestley (2004). The Rough Guide to Jazz. Rough Guides. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-1-84353-256-9. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Robert Cornford". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Bobby Cornford | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  • "Bob Cornford". Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 4th edition, ed. Colin Larkin.