Bob and Jerry met at the home of mutual friends in 1995, neither sure what to expect from the other. One chorus of blues later, any misgivings sparked by the pair’s difference in age had evaporated in the joy of music making. Bob heard his first jazz record as a teenager in 1942 (it featured Muggsy Spanier with Rod Cless on clarinet). They invited Kara to join the band in 2017, and The Bob Sparkman Trio was born. Inspired by those jazz luminaries, as well as the artistry of Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and the Condon Mob—Pee Wee Russell, Edmond Hall, etc., he started jamming with contemporaries Dick Wellstood and Ed Hubble and has been making marvelous music ever since. Jerry’s Dad introduced him to the guitar and piano when he was five years old, and he quickly learned to play music of all styles. In addition to playing classical, jazz, and even good ol’ rock n’ roll, he is a prolific composer and arranger, and writes articles about music for the Springfield newspapers. Kara is a professional writer, editor, and publications designer whose early musical influences ran more to John Denver, Carole King, and Willie Nelson. She got hooked on jazz in college and is loving the chance to play it with great musicians like Bob and Jerry

 

We're delighted to be performing in the North Hall Outdoor Concert Series this Sunday, September 12!

On Sunday, September 12 at 2 pm, you’ll be able to enjoy clarinetist Bob Sparkman, pianist Jerry Noble and bassist Kara Noble, as they bring their light-hearted traditional jazz improvisations to the Huntington (MA) Town Green for a rollicking romp through the Great American Songbook. This outdoor concert is free and open to the public. Bring your own chair, bring your friends, and check for updates on the concert at the North Hall website (www.northhallhuntington.org). In case of rain, the concert will be held in Stanton Hall on the Green. No pets please.

If you can't make this show, don't despair! We have another one coming up in Ashfield on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 2 pm at the First Congregational Church, UCC, Ashfield, MA (www.ashfielducc.org). The concert is also free and open to the public, and we'll be joined by our great friend and artist, soprano Tinky Weisblat.

We're thrilled to be part of the concert series celebrating the restoration of their 1903 George W. Reed pipe organ. Did you know that Fats Waller originally recorded Jitterbug Waltz on a pipe organ?