Bob Efford

b. Robert T. Efford, 6 April 1928, London, England. Before becoming a highly accomplished reed player, especially on tenor saxophone, Efford played piano and trumpet. Drifting seemingly without design into a career in music, he played in some minor British provincial dance bands in the 40s. When one of the bands, Les Ayling’s, became resident at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, Efford found his way into the local jazz scene and in 1949 joined Vic Lewis’ Stan Kenton -styled band. In the early 50s, he joined Ted Heath, touring the USA and receiving personal acclaim at the band’s tour-opening concert at Carnegie Hall. He left Heath in the early 60s, thereafter mostly doing studio work which included sessions under the leadership of visiting American stars such as Benny Goodman and Harry James. In 1976 he moved to Los Angeles where he played in bands led by Dave Pell, Bob Florence, Bill Holman and the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut. In 1980 he made his debut as leader at Carmelo’s, playing a bewilderingly huge range of instruments including pretty nearly the entire saxophone family as well as oboe, bassoon, flute, clarinet and cor anglais. Efford’s forte remains the tenor saxophone and he is also especially adept as a baritone saxophonist, which he plays with an engagingly light tone.