* En anglais uniquement
The bass equivalent of a seasoned saxophone veteran who was never a giant but was well respected for consistent excellence,
Bob Cranshaw worked steadily with several top jazz musicians. Despite having a light tone,
Cranshaw's timing, musical knowledge, and versatility were featured in an impressive array of recording sessions and tours beginning in the late '50s.
Cranshaw played piano and drums before switching to bass and tuba in high school. He was a founding member of
Walter Perkins'
MJT +3 band in 1957.
Cranshaw went to New York with the group in 1960 and joined
Sonny Rollins when they disbanded in 1962. He also worked with
Duke Pearson's small groups and big band.
Cranshaw started a parallel career in television, and was known for his years on Sesame Street. He also worked in theater orchestras, but jazz dates were plentiful;
Cranshaw played with
Lee Morgan,
Wes Montgomery,
Coleman Hawkins,
Johnny Hodges,
Horace Silver,
McCoy Tyner,
Thelonious Monk,
Jimmy Heath,
James Moody, and
Buddy Rich, as well as toured with
George Shearing,
Joe Williams,
Ella Fitzgerald, and
Oscar Peterson.
Cranshaw expanded his repertory and added electric bass in the '70s. He worked frequently with
Rollins in the '80s and '90s.
Cranshaw had no albums as a leader available during the digital age, but can be heard on numerous dates by
Rollins,
McCoy Tyner, and
the MJT + 3, among others. He died of cancer at his home in Manhattan in November 2016 at the age of 83. ~ Ron Wynn