In Memoriam: Bob Ojeda (1941-2020)

ITG mourns the passing of trumpeter, composer, and arranger Bob Ojeda.

Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as a "masterful trumpeter, inventive arranger, creative composer and mentor," Bob Ojeda enjoyed an international music career. Stan Kenton recruited Ojeda when he was just 18 years old, with whom he traveled all over the world.


Bob Ojeda

In the 1970s, Ojeda moved to Los Angeles and became an active freelance trumpeter and studio musician. There he wrote jingles for radio, TV, and film. He played trumpet on the rock musical "Hair" and even played trumpet with the Rolling Stones. In the 1980s, he became the staff arranger for Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show." He also performed with Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. More recently, Ojeda joined Petra van Nuis's "Recession Seven" band in 2013.


Bob Ojeda with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra in 1980

 

(Source: Kim Dunnick; Bob Ojeda Website; Howard Reich/Chicago Tribune)

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