5:00pm • $10 • Tickets on Eventbrite and at the door
• Bob Israel, (Guitar)
• Coleman O’Donoghue (Percussion)
• Jay Summerour (Harmonica)
• Eddie Czerwinskie (Guitar)
• Dave Marsh (Big Bass Man)
Early on, Bob’s talent was recognized as a classically trained trombonist. Playing principle trombone parts all through his junior high & high school years transitioned him into prestigious principle positions at various institutions' Jazz Ensembles & Orchestras, such as the: Peabody Jazz Ensemble; Towson State University Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Hank Levy; American University Jazz Ensemble; St. Mary’s College Jazz Ensemble Touring Band; and bass trombone for the University of Maryland.
Bob originally made his mark as the founder, orchestra leader and principal trombonist of the Washington Jazz Battalion, a 16-piece Big Band, formed in 1976. The band enjoyed popularity and perform ed overseas, in NYC, and throughout most of the east coast. Bob's Big Band enjoyed great popularity on the East Coast, playing venues like: Top of the Town; Cellar Door; Blues Alley; Wax Museum; Bethesda Blues and Jazz; Bethesda Cinema Drafthouse; Arties after Dark, among many corporate, charity, and association events. Bob's skills and the unique sound his Big Band was noted by the Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton Administrations, where he was formally invited to perform at their Presidential Inaugurations Balls. As a musician Bob Israel has performed in concert with Nancy Wilson, Stanley Turrentine, Harry Connick, Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Wilson and Steve Allen. In addition to performing at Inaugural Balls he has performed for many corporate and associate events as an orchestra leader. The Washington Jazz Battalion Big Band was one of Washington’s finest and attracted crowds of over a thousand people a night. The band was purchased by Blues Alley and became the Blues Alley Big Band directed by Bob Israel.
His musicianship extended well beyond the scope of his band and the trombone, when, after the Washington Jazz Battalion disbanded in 2002, the guitar became his second love. As a self-taught guitarist, Bob, sought out formal jazz guitar training from the late Paul Wingo & classical guitar training at the University of Hawaii. As a result, Bob created a distinctive guitar style, which incorporates jazz, blues, classical, bluegrass, and rock n’ roll and has been valued by many students throughout the area over the past decade. Total Eclipse was written, performed, and produced in 2010 and includes jazz/blues fusion of both classic favorites such as "Teach Me Tonight", as well as many original cuts. Jazz Junkie stated that “Bob Israel, a well-known fixture on the DC area jazz circuit, leads a dynamite ensemble on this date, focusing on guitar rather than the trombone playing for which he is better known. Every tune is thoughtful and substantive, with lots of ideas and solo space, without overstaying its welcome. The production values are also outstanding -- everything has a fat, warm sound, a little reminiscent of the old Blue Note studio vibe.” Bob produced a second CD of music of "pop grass", an idiom he came up with incorporating bluegrass riffs of original & popular songs. Both different, both fantastic.
Bob recently moved to the small town of Deale, MD, where he has been injecting the local musical scene with his versatile brand of music. His most recent musical group, Bob and Eddie and friends, focuses on acoustic guitar root music. Playing at local venues such as the Captain Avery Oyster Festival and at the local community center, A Vintage Deale, the community has gathered around his infectious brand of musical history and prowess where he has forged a local musical scene that brings his well-known Washington luminary musician friends to entertain the community.