Roger Bobo tuba legend

performance profile

  • 1956-1962
    Principal Tuba,
    Rochester Philharmonic, USA
  • 1962-1964
    Principal Tuba,
    Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, NL
  • 1964-1989
    Principal Tuba,
    Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, USA
  • Professor of Tuba
    Royal Northern College of Music, GB
  • Professor of Tuba
    Lausanne Conservatoire, CH
  • Professor of Low Brass
    Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, I

    Roger Bobo is one of the world's most renowned tubists and brass pedagogues. Born in 1938 in Los Angeles, California, he started his tuba studies at age twelve and later went on to study at the Eastman School of Music. He was simultaneously appointed tubist with the Rochester Philharmonic, a post he maintained for six years until his graduation from Eastman with a Bachelor and a Masters Degree in Music. In 1961, Roger Bobo played the first tuba recital at the Carnegie Recital Hall in New York to high critical acclaim, firmly establishing the tuba as a solo instrument in its own right.

    Roger Bobo moved to the Netherlands in 1962 to join the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. During his stay in the Netherlands, he performed solo recitals throughout Europe and appeared as a soloist with the Concertgebouw Orchestra.

    In 1964, Roger Bobo returned to California to become tubist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta. He has been a soloist with the L.A.P.O. on numerous occasions, and was also very active in the film studios of Hollywood, winning the prestigious "Studio Player of the Year" award in 1988. Roger Bobo was a founding member of the Los Angeles Brass Quintet, an ensemble with whom he has toured and recorded with extensively. He has been featured on international television, including two guest appearances on 'The Tonight Show', and a feature documentary/masterclass by ZDF/Arte television in Europe.

    Since 1990, Roger Bobo has made his home in Europe (now based in Lausanne, Switzerland), quickly establishing himself as one of Europe's most popular brass soloists.

    Since the success of his Carnegie Hall recital, many important composers have written solo music for Roger Bobo. He has greatly increased the tuba solo repertoire; more than fifty works have been written for or dedicated to Roger Bobo. He also has played the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto more than any other tubist, with over sixty performances of this piece with major orchestras throughout the world. He currently has seven solo recording with Crystal Records Inc. (USA), and has written a method book for brass, Mastering the Tuba (Editions Bim - CH), which has recently been updated.

    Roger Bobo soloist extrordinaire - reviews...

    Stereo Review -
    Performance: astonishing. The man is, no doubt, the Heifetz of the tuba.

    Los Angeles Herald -
    Bobo, who's been called the "Paganini of the tuba", lived up to his formidable reputation for virtuosity...performance was dazzling...Bobo's moving and expressive command of the tuba is a small miracle of musicianship.

    The New York Times -
    Mr. Bobo's playing was musically and technically fantastic.

    Herald Tribune -
    Mr. Bobo's virtuoso performance combined the agility of a flutist with the mellow fluidity of a violin player. He has a smooth technique and considerable dynamic variety.

    Brass Bulletin -
    The charisma of Roger Bobo is felt instantly by the audience. His astounding virtuosity sweeps one away with him...with his students, Roger quickly creates an atmosphere of confidence. He is a born teacher who can not only transmit his knowledge and expertise but takes account of the particular qualities of each individual student.

    Johnny Carson of 'The Tonight Show' -
    The King of Tubadom...

    American Record Guide -
    ...the most utterly assured, overtly expressive and virtuostic tuba player in the world.