He has led The Tuxedo Jazz Band since 1977. (The Tuxedo Jazz Band was formerly led by Oscar "Papa" Celestin and later by French's father, Albert "Papa" French from 1958 to 1977. )

As a child he took drumming lessons from Louis Barbarin. He organized a R&B band in high school that included James Booker, Art Neville, Charles Neville, and Kidd Jordan, Alvin Batiste. In the 1960s he recorded with Earl King and Fats Domino. He has also played and recorded with Dave Bartholomew (he is a relative on his mother's side). Bob French & Friends can be heard often on Frenchmen Street at the D.B.A. nightclub.

Marsalis Music Honors series

In 2007 the album Marsalis Music Honors Bob French was released, as part of the Marsalis music Honors series. The album's musicians include Harry Connick, Jr. on piano and Branford Marsalis on saxophone.

Track listing

1. "Bourbon Street Parade" (Paul Barbarin) - 8:20
2. "Basin Street Blues" (Spencer Williams) - 5:58
3. "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" (Henry Creamer, Turner Layton) - 5:58
4. "Milenburg Joys" (Paul Mares, Walter Melrose, Fred "Jelly Roll" Morton, Leon Roppolo) - 8:28
5. "You Are My Sunshine" (Jimmie Davis) - 3:54
6. "Burgundy Street Blues" (George Lewis) - 6:30
7. "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" (Clarence Muse, Leon Rene, Otis South Rene) - 9:21
8. "Royal Garden Blues" (Clarence Williams, Spencer Williams) - 5:41
9. "Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)" (Louis Alter, Eddie DeLange) - 6:54
10. "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" (traditional) - 7:51
11. "When the Saints (Go Marching In)" (traditional) - 7:23

Personnel

• Bob French - drums, vocals
• Troy Andrews - trombone
• Leonard Brown - trumpet
• Harry Connick, Jr. - piano
• Edward Huntington - banjo
• Branford Marsalis - saxophone
• Chris Severin - bass
• Ellen Smith - vocals

References

External links

• Bob French at MySpace
• Bob French's Original Tuxedo Jazz Band
• Bob French profile, at All Music Guide
• Bob French at the Internet Movie Database
• Bob French biography at Rounder Records (pdf file)
• Video: Chris Rose Show featuring: Bob French