Bob Havens

A solid trombonist with strong technical skills and a warm sound, Bob Havens has primarily been heard in Dixieland settings through the years. A natural musician who came from a musical family, Havens played violin and piano in addition to trombone as a child. He performed locally and came to fame for his work with George Girard (1956-1957) and particularly Al Hirt (1957-1960). Havens became a longtime member of the Lawrence Welk Orchestra in 1960, staying for over two decades and often participating in the Welk Show's Dixieland segment. That "day job" did not result in his jazz abilities being diluted, however. Havens has been a fixture at Dixieland and mainstream jazz festivals since the '60s, and in the '90s was still very much in his musical prime. Havens recorded as a leader for Southland in 1960 and 1964. ~ Scott Yanow