Bob Leatherbarrow

Bob Leatherbarrow (born 3 May 1955) is a jazz drummer and vibraphonist who lives and works in Los Angeles.

Biography
Bob Leatherbarrow is originally from Buffalo, New York. He studied the drums with Charlie Lorigo, orchestral percussion with John Rowland of the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the vibraphone with Dave Samuels. He began his career as a professional musician at the age of 14 and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts before moving to Los Angeles in 1978 to further pursue a career in music.

Throughout his career, Leatherbarrow has played with many great jazz artists like Ernie Watt’s Quartet (for over 25 years), Norah Jones, Joe Farrell, Peggy Lee, Victor Feldman, Horace Silver, Doc Severinsen, Howard Roberts, John Klemmer, Jack Sheldon, Rosemary Clooney, Natalie Cole, The Bill Holman Band, Bob Florence Jazz Orchestra, Bill Watrous’ Wildlife Refuge Big Band, Mike Barone’s Big Band, and Bruce Lofgren.

Bob has recorded with many popular artists as well, including Gordon Lightfoot, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton, Placido Domingo, Henry Mancini, Leonard Cohen, and Five For Fighting. He has also appeared on film and television soundtracks including The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, King Of The Hill, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, A Guy Thing, Torque, Envy, Bruce Almighty, WB Looney Tunes, Bottle Rocket, and The Life Aquatic. He is responsible for the iconic snare rolls that begin the sound signature of 20th Century Fox Studios.

His vibraphone work can be heard on recordings by Stanley Clarke, Nelly Furtado, Chantal Kreviazuk, Bill Perkins, Lorraine Feather, Greta Matassa, and many others. He was Peggy Lee’s vibraphone player for years, and currently plays vibes and composes for his own group Polychrome which he formed with Sam Riney and John Chiodini.