BOBBY HACKETT THE GREATEST CORNETIST

Bobby Hackett, the cornetist whose mellow tone and graceful style made him a favorite of both jazz and pop music audiences.
Whitney Balliett described Bobby Hackett in The New Yorker as "a unique and extremely successful alloy of Beiderbecke and Armstrong."
"His tone." Mr. Balliett wrote "which is quiet and shining, resembles Beiderbecke's and so does his three-steps-up, two steps down method of improvising. But his sustained notes and way of playing just behind the beat and of occasionally slipping into double time are straight out of Louis Armstrong."
Born in Providence, R.I. Bobby Hackett began his music career by studying the violin but switched to the trumpet and later to the cornet. He began playing professionally while in his teens and was soon appearing with some of the best known names of the "Big Band Era."
Bobby Hackett appeared with Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller and Paul Whiteman among others.
"Music should be pretty," he said. "You should hear and recognize the melody. And real greatness is in the simplicity. Simple things are the hardest to play and the easiest to listen to."

[@stevetessier6568]

Bobby Was one of my late father BobTessiers best friends. They had palled around together in the 30s and 40s.When my dad died suddenly in 1959.I had a real strong male role model. In my life. I was 4 years old. I took up harmonica, in the rural blues style. Under Bobby's instigation. As he put it I was a natural. For it and for me to embrace it. Make it my life's work. Now 60 years into it. He was so right. I remember Bobby, in each and every sunrise, and in each and every sunset. He was so good to a little disabled boy. God bless His memory, and his musicality forever. The Angels attend my pal, eternally....

[@Toranaboy634]

Your memory of him is something for others to value too. His music is with you.

[@AustinCasey]

Bobby Hackett was a Jazz musician as well as a Pop musician. It is very rare that a musician can garner great respect by fans of both genres and be so successful in both.

[@ralphhickok5889]

I wrote an article about Bobby Hackett years ago, based on a recording session that I observed and an interview with him afterward. He was a gentle man and a gentleman, and it was a real privilege to meet him.

[@DuhThud]

I will say it again: The Swing Era produced many of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen. Bobby Hackett set the bar so high that so very few have ever attained it. This can be said for so many in that era.

[@jimthompson471]

Bob Martin 98:

[@TimClarkeJazzTrumpet]

As Bob Wilber said, "the thing that happened to jazz after the war - which to me, in retrospect, was really kind of a tragic thing - jazz suddenly took two roads: half of the jazz went with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, and the other half went back to Bunk Johnson, Preservation Hall, George Lewis and so forth, and suddenly this mainstream of music which had really been inspired by Louis Armstrong's recordings in the '20's, and nurtured and developed in the '30's and into the '40s into (to me) a perfect music - I guess you would call it swing - suddenly disappeared, and everybody...you had to be either in one. camp or another..."

[@gyrene0326]

Bobby and my late grandfather Jack Banchick were friends and fellow musicians. I had the pleasure of meeting Bobby Hackett several times on Cape Cod.

[@geraldnichols2722]

The video starts with Bobby playing "The Good Life"--- how appropriate!Sweet as usual. Bobby NEVER, EVER disappointed. Though his abilities were far beyond the small dixie bands he frequently was found in, he must have really loved that kind of music to stay involved as he did.

[@joelhall1]

My dad, Charlie Hall, was a cornet player in Providence in the `30s and knew Bobby Hackett.

[@bobboscarato8313]

Hackett was the champion of "easy listening" and always very inspired.

[@jttrumpet55]

Thank you sharing this woderful tribute to Bobby Hackett. I'm a trumpet player (and former cornet player), and remember as a kid watching the old Jackie Gleason show with the Sammy Spear Orchestra. Bobby Hacket was the soloist. Of course the old time favorite is the "String of Pearls" solo that every HS student learned. John (JT) Wyper Wesley Chapel FL

[@funsmell]

Bobby was one of the greatest. I had the pleasure of hearing him many times and as a trumpet player fell in love with his lyrical playing. I could never speak as well on the trumpet as he did, but I always tried to sing a melody through the changes like Bobby. Thank God for Bobby Hackett.

[@jas026able]

lovely sentiments

[@plectroman]

My mom went to school w/ Bobby in Cranston RI,,,,btw, her maiden name was Murphy,,,he was GREAT!

[@capitaocaverna4977]

Unfortunatelly, only recently I found Bobby Hackett in KZbin. He's absolutely fantastic! Thank you.

[@joelhall1]

My dad knew Bobby Hackett. He was also a cornet player in Providence and my mother claimed that my dad was an influence on Bobby's playing.. This was in the `30s.

[@johnbrackett5818]

The greatest ballad player these ears have ever heard.

[@NorthernPlus]

When I post comments concerning some of the great recordings that are posted on You Tube, I feel like I am speaking to good friends whom I have never met. Thanks for being out there.

[@jimthompson7402]

The wonderfully magical sound of Bobby Hackett was featured on the albums Jackie Gleason produced back in the 1950's. Real quality work.

[@francismeeson8908]

I believe Jackie made a fortune from those recordings, all Bobbie got was a standard musicians fee for the gig.

[@loumcconnell503]

Jim Thompson Gleason stiffed Bobby ,reneging on a handshake agreement and only paying him scale ; Bobby never spoke to Gleason again.

[@altoalto1]

Bobby has still many fans in Holland. i get a good response to my postings. Did you know that there is also a 33 rpm record of this performance of May 22th 1973?

[@TheBglou]

He influenced my Trumpet style even though I couldn't approach his playing. BUT he was great to play when making out in the car was right in the 1950's. Truly a very enjoyable video.

[@Feedurehed]

9 minutes and 49 seconds of pure JOY! Thank you so much for this post Murphy Family! X

[@KentuckyJet]

To listen to Bobby hackett and Tony Bennett perform together was a wonderful experience. The Very Thought of You was a very , very special recording by them.

[@johnwhite1209]

Thanks for this posting! I loved Bobby Hackett's playing & music. When I played cornet/trumpet 45 years ago, I always patterned by playing style towards Bobby's, because it was jazz, but retained a purity about it unlike anyone else. Surely, the SWEETEST horn in the world!

[@adriansalsgiver]

I watch and share this because I find it inspirational and believe it quintessentially represents what was good about America.

[@majorsnodgrassthethird5699]

The good side of American culture.

[@bbbossa07]

Bobby Hacket, que l'on se souvienne de ce merveilleux musicien !

[@doobeedoo2]

Thanks for posting. I appreciate the BH quote above.

[@Verdonne]

Bobby Hackett.....my all time favorite musician

[@optiguytomgmail]

Happy 100th Birthday Bobby! (a few hours early!)

[@adriansalsgiver]

@TheMurphyFamily He wasn't just the greatest cornetist, he was the greatest guy a teen trumpet player could ever meet. It was the early 1970s and me, my friend, and my parents got there early and got the table right up front. At break time he joined us for a cocktail and talked about playing the horn, the Big Band Era, Glen Miller, Harry James, and everything else! My father picked up the tab. He is dead now so the cops cannot go after him. ;-)

[@jaddy540]

Bobby was a teetotaler!

[@loumcconnell503]

@@jaddy540 He may have been in his latter years however in his earlier years he was a heavy drinker ,not a good mix for someone who was diabetic !

[@goback3spaces]

Most of what I've heard of Bobby is from the Jackie Gleason recordings. Pure romantic beauty. And that quote from Bobby that you've provided speaks volumes about his artistry.

[@PROFILESophiaYates]

@rainbowschild He was a good guy and he is missed big time. Where did u see him? Down the Cape @ the columns? I went by there the other week w his granddaughter I wish they would turn it back into a club. It's just wasting away there We would go there for dinner and listen to him and Dave McKenna & who ever else played along. He was fun to watch & listen 2 just talk. They always rumbled along while playing

[@CellBlockseven]

Always has been a favorite of mine! Many people didn't know or ever hear Tommy Loy, the Texas cornetist! He played pure poetry just like Bobby Hackett! It's not how many notes you play, it's the ones that count and where you put them!

[@plectroman]

I grew up on his jazz records and also the Music for Lovers Only produced by Jackie Gleason...he could kill you just playing the melody!!!!

[@songanddanceman100]

Great music and wonderful, unique photos. Thx, Murphy family!

[@BobCarp1947]

Bobby Hackett MADE Jackie Gleasons recordings famous - what a sweet, pure & beautiful musician...

[@spudspinnigan9677]

What great pics. Thanks so much for sharing some real life with the rest of us schlubs

[@rodgers7200]

The best of the best !

[@janewilhelm3568]

Thank you so very much for sharing this beautiful video of one great cornet player and inspiration to my life almost all my life. Thank you, Mr. Hackett!

[@emiliogimenezzapiola6302]

What a sound! What a taste! Bobby is one of the Greats.❤ Lovin' him here in Palomar, Argentina.😊

[@JACQUILLO2]

beautiful playing

[@optiguytomgmail]

Happy Birthday Bobby!

[@valvetrom]

I also like his unadulterated tone ,no mute and lots of lovely low register

[@grammadee9443]

THANKs love the MUSIC love the VIDEO. Just got to mention my empty lot is across from his in seaside cemetery on cape cod. CHATHAM MASS

[@gladtobeopenminded]

A gentleman and an extraordinary musician!

[@oldtimedrumcorps]

Cant help but chuckle in awe of his improve . Sooo good forever .

[@beforeourveryeyes]

Gosh, thank you for the music and pictures. At 6:09 is Dave McKenna at the piano and again at 8:29, third from our right.

[@hfelton]

Years ago some older jazz musician, having had his fill of modern jazz, said: ''What's wrong with pretty?'' Bobby Hackett always played pretty.

[@adriansalsgiver]

As a young trumpet player, I had an underage drink with Bobby Hackett and my parents. It was one of the best nights of my life.

[@hugopatriciocastillofuente8495]

the best, i always listen

[@ElMonoLescano]

Bix y Bobby, los mejores cornetas , los únicos por su sonido. Y no me olvido del petiso Branca, pero en trompeta, long time ago...

[@bontrom8]

What a refreshing presentation! Thank you for bringing generations together and bridging the gap between then and now! So much is lost and not communicated in most selections on the internet, and I am thrilled to have found your videos. I was raised with a generation past and I miss it so much.

[@brokenwrench1]

the last recordings he made was with the same olds super cornet that red nichols played for years.

[@SidLaw500]

Thanks for this awesome post!

[@kalarr1]

GOOD !!!! MY IDOL !!!

[@gonzalogimenez6775]

Extraordinario. Muchas gracias por subir este vídeo. En verdad el mejor cornetista que haya existido. El ídolo de mi padre. Grande Bobby

[@nelsonpenaranda2745]

Otro de los grandes sonidos de trompeta que me inspirò a tocar este bello instrumento, Gracias!!!!

[@majorsnodgrassthethird5699]

Miles liked Bobby Hackett. After all, what's not to like?

[@DirkSchooner]

Run rabbit run, run rabbit, run run run......

[@jorgelahoz802]

Dedicado a mi amigo Ricardo Hidalgo donde quiera que se encuentre

[@pepperwilliams4428]

A TRUE 'ORIGINAL'!!!

[@robnroth]

It occurred to me to check Harold Jones's book, which reports an August 12, 1973 concert that Benny Goodman did at the Cape Cod Coliseum including the very same tunes as Hackett features. It identifies the trombonist as George Masso, a likely candidate for someone who sounds Green-like.

[@colinball9032]

devine and totally unique

[@nelsonpenaranda2745]

¡Admirable!!!!

[@ewhackett]

wow!

[@altoalto1]

the photo on 5:46 is with Ted Easton's Jazzband and Betty Smith, of which I posted a TV registration from probably the same night in may 1973

[@hugopatriciocastillofuente8495]

es lo mejor, desde el album easy beat, lo escucho, es unico,

[@Michaelbos]

REAL talent. Not like today. Everything is a plug in to make it sound better. BH didn't need that.

[@brianbentley4386]

Bobby was a guitar player first before he picked up the cornet. He knew were the pretty notes were because he would visualize the guitar fingerboard remembering what worked on the guitar.

[@bobareebop]

Am I imagining things, or did Hackett also play the guitar? I might be dreaming this...

[@francismeeson8908]

Yes he did and very well too.

[@stevetessier6568]

Bobby started upon guitar, both Tenor guitar, and 6 string. He was one of my dad's best friends. And a mentor to me. God Bless the dead Eternally...!!! 🙏

[@jas026able]

At 8:19 we see Bobby in a set with Jake Hanna, drummer. Jake always sang Bobby's praises. They are playing together now in a Heavenly Gig.

[@22483511]

@notedmusician The first one is "It's the Good Life" Next one is "Poor Butterfly" and the last one (at 8.00) is "BEI MIR BIST DU SCHOEN " Lots of recordings on You Tube incl Ella Fitzgerald

[@22483511]

@Protozoo79 The first one is "It's the Good Life" popularised by Tony Bennett

[@orson15]

@mfey22 Aside from being a lyrical, harmonically sophisticated cornet player, I understand he was a very nice man.

[@jaddy540]

Bobby was a great person. Also did not smoke or use alcohol. I knew him when I was a bartender at "Nick's" ,in 1948, in The Village, 7th. ave. and 10th. St.

[@NorthernPlus]

@plectroman Have the 33 1/3s down stairs some place. Purchased them when they were first released. Knew nothing concerning the soloist on coronet, just enjoyed the music. Time sure passes by.

[@geraldnichols2722]

"The Greatest Cornetist" isn't just an idle claim in my opinion. Bobby had a command of music that defies description. I don't think he ever, ever played a "clinker."

[@lespeate1906]

There BIX # 1 - no disputing. But it's a close tie for second with Wild Bill, Louis and Bobby Hackett.

[@ktknm8162]

I want this play number list.

[@kcmt01]

So, you thought we wouldn't notice if you sneaked in a few pictures of Buddy Hackett?

[@fillra]

Good music and lovely photos. The first tune was The Good Life, co-written by Sacha Distel in 1962. What was the second tune, please?

[@alangiles2763]

Poor Butterfly, Marie

[@notedmusician]

Whata gem... I love it!!! What piece is he playing at 8:00?

[@sb4481]

What's the name of the last song?

[@barneybigard]

Tom Chen Bonsoir, Pour le dernier thème, il s'git de "Bei mir bist du schöen"

[@micheltourte8529]

first: "La belle vie"

[@ktknm8162]

And play person.

[@glennmiller2005]

yep, most famously for glenn miller

[@WirelessPaul]

Do not know about the greatest Cornetist but certainly not the best music.

[@jas026able]

Do you mean Bach, Paul? Rodgers and Hart? Don't know where you are going with that.

[@FrankSpada]

Segui la tua strada e lascia perdere la mia Linkedin Condiviso su Google plus con una foto