One of the last survivors of
Bob Crosby's Bobcats,
Bob Haggart was a top bassist for 60 years. Originally a guitarist,
Haggart taught himself bass while in high school. He gained fame when he joined
Bob Crosby in 1935, not only supplying his supportive and swinging bass but contributing arrangements and writing such songs as "What's New," "South Rampart Street Parade," "My Inspiration," and "Big Noise From Winnetka," the latter a colorful duet with drummer
Ray Bauduc. After
Crosby broke up his band in 1942,
Haggart became a studio musician and was on a countless number of sessions (particularly for Decca). In addition to his studio work, the busy bassist teamed up with
Yank Lawson for recordings as
the Lawson-Haggart Band.
Bob Haggart participated in many
Bobcat reunions with
Bob Crosby, co-led
the World's Greatest Jazz Band with
Lawson starting in 1968, and was a steady fixture at many jazz parties and festivals through the years prior to his death on December 2, 1998. ~ Scott Yanow