"Do you enjoy being retired?"

       For many years, my band work had to be secondary to the operation of
Boyd Music Center. It was my dream to someday once again become a full-
time musician and bandleader. Since we closed our doors last summer (2000)
that dream has become a reality.

       Indeed, lots of people still are surprised when they learn I am a musician
too, and a working musician at that. I have, in fact, been playing the piano in bands, most of the time as leader or co-leader, since 1955.

 "Are you still playing?"

       Yes, playing is all a part of living for me, and a very important part. It is
such a joy for me to work with David Higginbotham, Randy McDonald, and
Pat Henry. David, Randy, and I formed the Bob Boyd Trio back in 1991.

       David plays upright bass, plays guitar in our Mariachi and Italian groups,
and sings lead beautifully. He is a superb music director and a very gifted
songwriter. Randy plays drums and sings in the group. He also doubles piano
and bass, is a master sound recording engineer at Zanbeck Studios, is a
computer expert, and a gifted songwriter.

       In addition to a busy calendar of private parties and other functions, we played at the Unity Church every Sunday for six years, and produced an
album of original inspirational music, The Unity Trio.

       Pat Henry, in recent years, has become our band's welcome fourth
member. Pat plays trumpet, trombone and flugelhorn, and sings lead and alto
(but not at the same time.) He is also adept on the flute, piano, guitar, and
bass. Pat has recorded three albums, playing all the instruments himself. (He
says he had a lot of cheap help!)

       All four of us are bandleaders in our own right. But the sum of the
whole is greater than its parts. We have played together so much that we
can anticipate each other's every move, every note. The joy in playing I
first had is back! I enjoy writing vocal arrangements for us. I look forward
to every concert, to every tune.

       Sometimes our new ideas just tumble over each other in exuberance.
Jazz began as fun music, and we have put the fun back into it!

 "What kinds of music do you play?"

        Everyone tends to want to classify or pigeonhole a band as playing
a particular style of music. So far we have successfully resisted that. We
have presented Dixieland, Cajun, Polka, Mariachi, Italian, Irish, and
Western Swing-style band shows. But most of the time we play a mix of
popular standards, swing, and popular jazz from all the decades. All four
of us sing lead on some tunes and we present many tunes in four part
harmony, ala The Four Freshman or Manhatten transfer.

"Where are you playing, so I can come hear your band?"

       Almost all of our engagements are private parties, like weddings and
receptions, anniversaries, birthdays, company parties, and conventions.
Unfortunately for us and for our potential audiences, most restaurants,
clubs, and lounges don't hire bands that play our classic forms of jazz,
popular, and show music.

       However from time to time we do perform in the public venue. To view a listing of our current public appearances please click HERE.

"What do you do in the daytime?"

       Well, God is not through with me yet. I continue to work, part-time,
for SIGLER MUSIC CENTER at Markham & Barrow. They let me make
my own hours, it's a beautiful store, a great place to work and learn, and it
keeps me off the streets during the daytime.

       Now, in addition to my three Rs (readin, ritin, and runnin) I can book
and work with my band all I want. If you need something, or just want to
come see me and hang out, like in the old days, come on down to SIGLER's.