Black Bob (musician) facts for kids

Black Bob was the stage name of a talented American blues piano player from the 1930s. He lived in Chicago and played on many recordings, helping other musicians sound great. We don't know his real name, but some people thought it might be Bob Hudson, Bob Robinson, Bob Alexander, or Bob Schanault. He was active mainly in the 1930s.

The Mystery of Black Bob

Almost nothing is known about Black Bob's life, except for the music he recorded. He was a very private person, or perhaps information about blues musicians from that time was not well-recorded.

From Black Jack to Black Bob

Before he became known as Black Bob, he was called Black Jack. This was when he lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. Around 1927, he moved to Chicago. That's when he started using the name Black Bob.

What Was His Real Name?

Many people wondered about Black Bob's true identity.

• The famous blues musician Big Bill Broonzy believed his real name was Robert Alexander.
• Another blues legend, Memphis Slim, thought his name was Bob Hudson.
• At one point, some people mistakenly thought Black Bob was another musician named Bob Call.
• A researcher named Bob Eagle looked into the clues. He suggested that Black Bob might have been Bob Schanault. This Bob Schanault recorded music with Memphis Minnie in 1936.

Black Bob's Music Career

Black Bob was a very busy piano player in the mid and late 1930s. He played on many Chicago blues recordings. He often worked for popular record labels like Bluebird and Vocalion.

Who Did He Play With?

Black Bob played piano for many well-known blues artists. Some of these included:

• Big Bill Broonzy
• Amos Easton
• Jazz Gillum
• Lil Johnson
• Red Nelson
• Joe McCoy
• Memphis Minnie
• Merline Johnson
• Papa Charlie McCoy
• Tampa Red
• Casey Bill Weldon
• Washboard Sam

One person who reviewed his music said he had "muscular runs and rippling fills." This means he played the piano with a strong, flowing style. It showed he was a very skilled professional musician for his time.

When Did He Stop Recording?

It seems Black Bob stopped making recordings around 1938, or maybe 1941. However, Memphis Minnie said that she continued to perform and record with him. She said he was part of her band as late as 1954.

His Later Life

After the 1950s, nothing more is known about Black Bob's life. He remains a mysterious but important figure in blues music history. His recordings helped shape the sound of Chicago blues.