Bob Northern facts for kids
Robert Northern (born May 21, 1934 – died May 31, 2020), known professionally as Brother Ah, was a talented American jazz musician. He was especially known for playing the French horn, a beautiful brass instrument.
Quick facts for kids
Bob Northern
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| Birth name | Robert Northern |
| Born | 21 May 1934 Kinston, North Carolina |
| Died | 31 May 2020 |
| Genres | jazz |
| Occupation(s) | French hornist |
| Instruments | French horn |
Contents
Life and Music Journey
Robert Northern was born in 1934 in Kinston, North Carolina. He grew up in The Bronx, a borough of New York City. He loved music and studied at the Manhattan School of Music. He also studied in Europe at the Vienna Academy in the 1950s.
Brother Ah became very well-known as a session musician. This means he played on many recordings for other famous artists. In the 1950s and 1960s, he worked with jazz legends. These included John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk. He also played with Gil Evans, Sun Ra, and McCoy Tyner.
Exploring World Music
From 1963 to 1971, Robert lived in New York City. He became very interested in music from different parts of the world. For seven summers, from 1972 to 1977, he traveled to Africa. He visited countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania to study their music.
In the 1970s, he started releasing his own albums. His 1974 album, Sound Awareness, featured the famous drummer Max Roach. Later in his career, Brother Ah also started playing percussion and flute.
Teaching and Sharing Music
Brother Ah loved to share his knowledge of music. He taught at Dartmouth College from 1970 to 1973. Then he taught at Brown University from 1973 to 1982. After that, he taught at the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. starting in 1982.
He also created two special music groups. The World Music Ensemble explored music from Africa, Japan, Spain, India, and Native American traditions. His other group, The Sounds of Awareness Ensemble, focused on sounds from nature and music. Brother Ah also hosted a weekly jazz radio show. It was called "The Jazz Collectors" on station WPFW in Washington.
Robert Northern passed away in Washington on May 31, 2020. He was 86 years old and had been battling an illness.
His Music Albums
Brother Ah released several albums as a bandleader. These albums showcased his unique musical ideas.
Albums as a Leader
- Sound Awareness (1974)
- Move Ever Onward (1975)
- Key to Nowhere (1983)
- Celebration (1993)
- Open Sky (1986)
Playing with Other Artists
Brother Ah was a sought-after musician. He played the French horn on many albums for other famous jazz artists. Here are some of the well-known musicians he recorded with:
