BOB HELM, 1914-2002

Photo courtesy of John Burkholder. left to right: John, Bob, Harriet Murphy

Bob Helm was the last surving member of the pre-WW2 Yerba Buena Jazz Band. He graced the stage with Devil Mountain Jazz band many times, most notably at several of our Friends of Jazz "West Coast Revival Jazz" tributes, held at each October session since 1987. We dedicated our October 19, 2002 FOJ session to Bob.

I received the sad news of Bob's passing on September 2, 2002, from Dottie Lawless and Peggy Butler. Peggy kindly forwarded to me the message below from Leon Oakley:

I will post, on this page, more info about Bob that I might receive in the next few days. Any photo files are particularly welcome.

Ken Keeler.

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Dear Friends,

Robert Helm, the gentle, so intelligent man who played the most creative, "Hotter Than That" Clarinet and Saxophones and has taken his leave to the Land of Jazz, to perform with his Pals to play the kind of Jazz that 'FRISCO had.

Bob passed from us on September 1st, 2002 at 4 P.M. joining recent departed Lionel Hampton on August 24th, and William Warfield on August 25th.

Bob started to play Jazz during the Roaring 20s of the 20th Century and continued into the 21st Century up until a few weeks ago, setting a Standard of Excellence that varied very little into his 88th year.

Craig Dill has reserved the right to tell his Aunt Kay of her great husband's passing sometime during this Monday morning. Please honor his request to perform this difficult task, before calling in person.

Details of forth coming Memorials for Bob will be announced as soon as possible. Thoughts and ideas are welcome.

Richard Hadlock will dedicate a special radio show to Bob Helm on Sunday, September 8th, 2002 during his Annals Of Jazz show hour 7-8 P.M. on KCSM 91.1 FM. This show has been in preparation for the last 2 weeks with hopes Bob could have listened to it. The show will include some unreleased performances of Robert Helm in concert with his many Jazz Friends. Richard has indicated that to present Bob's contributions to American Jazz in a one hour presentation is impossible, but it leaves open the possibility of future shows about the man from Dos Palos, in California's Big Valley.

THANK YOU BOB, FOR ALLOWING US ALL TO BE PART OF YOUR LIFE!

Love, Leon Oakley.

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Here are some of the responses I've received from Bob's friends:

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Dear Ken,

I got your email and saw Leon's fine tribute on your web site. I had already learned with great sorrow of Bob's passing. He has always been a part of my life, and I will always miss him. I wanted to add this photo to your gallery. It's probably already there; it's on the SF Jazz Foundation's site and comes up when you search for any of the guys pictures, but it's the only one of many that I have available to send online. The scene is probably in Sausalito, the date in the late 40s, and the players are Turk Murphy, Willie Thorpe, and Robert Helm, AKA the Brothers Lowdown. They attained this title dishonorably through marital misdeeds, concurrent divorces and shared relationships, and they met on Monday nights (musicians' night off) to cook, eat, drink, play and variously accuse each other of being this week's "Brother Lowdown # 1". The venue rotated.

Tonight on my "Classic Jazz Variety" program (KHSU FM 90.5 Arcata, CA) I played "Friendless" (YBJB, '46); " Blues Over Bodega" ('64 with Lu and Wally and Barbara Dane) and a wonderful "Irish Black Bottom" he did with Carl Lunceford at a posthumous birthday party for my dad in 1985. Among others, and mixed with favorites of his and happy numbers. I told some of his story, including his protest-mohawk haircut in 1934, and never broke down once.

I'm sure I'll be seeing you somewhere soon. Sincerely,

Barry Thorpe, Fieldbrook, CA

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Hi Ken!

Thanks for Leon's letter in tribute to Bob Helm, we will all miss him. It looks like there is a big Yerba Buena Jazz Band reunion up in the sky. I'm listening to the old Railroad Blues ( 2:19 Blues) with Bob's vocal as I'm typing. That great sournote clarinet style is so expressive and when in his hot moments he had a great reckless abandon that always had me wondering if he solo himself right into a trap! He never would and astonish me every time.

With the passing of such a great musician it reminds all of us in the trad band world that the best times in the world are right now, and that nothing lasts forever - cherish every moment!

Howard Miyata

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Ken -I hope to hear from you about the memorial services, when and where. Several people have asked me already, and I want to pass along the details.

Fortunately, I went and saw Bob Helm on Saturday, the day before he died. Marty Eggers and Bill Barden happened to be there by his bedside. Marty brought a boombox and was playing Johnny Dodds on a CD on the tray table at Helm's bed. Bob was glassy eyed, staring into the distance, but I think he heard the music because his hand twitched after each solo and at the end of each tune. Terribly sad sight.

Regards - John Howard

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I may have some more to post here. Check back occasionally.

For more photos and information on the Yerba Buena Jazz band, check out the San Francisco Jazz Foundation's website at http://www.sftradjazz.org/photos.html

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