Bobby Hackett



Robert Leo "Bobby" Hackett (January 31, 1915 – June 7, 1976) was an American jazz musician who played trumpet, cornet and guitar with the bands of Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman in the late thirties and early forties.

Biography
Hackett was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He made his name as a follower of the legendary cornet player Bix Beiderbecke: Benny Goodman hired him to recreate Bix's famous "I'm Coming Virginia" solo at his (Goodman's) 1938 Carnegie Hall concert. In the late 1930s Hackett played lead trumpet in the Vic Schoen Orchestra which backed the Andrews Sisters. Bobby Hackett can be heard on the soundtrack to the 1940 Fred Astaire movie Second Chorus. In 1939 the talent agency MCA asked Bobby Hackett to form a big band with their backing. Unfortunately the band failed and Hackett was in substantial debt to MCA after it folded. Bobby Hackett joined the bands of Horace Heidt and then Glenn Miller to pay down this debt.

To make matters worse, his lip was in bad shape after dental surgery, making it difficult for him to play the trumpet or cornet. Glenn Miller came to Hackett's rescue, offering him a job as a guitarist with the Miller Band. "When I joined the band and I was making good money at last, [...] [jazz critics] accused me of selling out. Hell I wasn't selling out, I was selling in!  It's funny, isn't it, how you go right into the wastebasket with some critics the minute you become successful". Despite his lip problems, Hackett could still play occasional short solos, and he can be heard playing a famous one with the Glenn Miller Orchestra on "A String of Pearls." A dream come true for Hackett was his inclusion in Louis Armstrong's 1947 Town Hall Jazz Concert. During the 1950s, he made a series of albums of ballads with a full string orchestra, produced by Jackie Gleason, exhibiting a dreamy, vibrato-free sound. In 1965, Bobby Hackett toured with singer Tony Bennett. In 1966 and 1967 Hackett accompanied Bennett on two European tours. In the early 1970s, Hackett performed separately with Dizzy Gillespie and Teresa Brewer. In his later years, he continued to perform in a dixieland style even as trends in jazz changed.

Personal Life
Hackett was married to his wife Edna, from an un-known date, to his death. They had two children together: Barbra Hackett(deceased) and Ernie Hackett. Hackett had a dog Mickey who was a pointer mix.

Death
Hackett was a smoker. His smoking often lead to health problems. One day, after Hackett checked out of the hospital, he played a show later that day. The next night, he died. Bobby Hackett died June 7, 1976 from a heart attack.

Legacy
Hackett has a great legacy. Most songs are available on iTunes. His work is often mentioned when talking about famous jazz musicians. His great grandson lives in New York and also plays trumpet.

Select discography
With George Wein
 * A String of Pearls, Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, 1941, Bluebird records.
 * Rhapsody In Blue, Glenn Miller and His Orchestra, 1942, Victor records.
 * Wein, Women and Song and More, George Wein Plays and Sings (Arbors Records)

Bobby Hackett Film and Television Appearances
(all information from IMDB website on Bobby Hackett. see )

Film
Saturday Night Swing Club, 1938, Warner-Vitaphone production.

Orchestra Wives, 1942, Twentieth-Century Fox.

Television
Henny and Rocky Show, 1956.

Air Times 57, 1957.

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