Robert "Bobby" Parker

 

Bobby Parker was THE jazz drummer in Des Moines for five decades and it seems that he played with virtually every good player in town.  Influenced by drummer Jo Jones and known for his swinging brush technique, Bobby worked with Don East from 1947 to 1950.  He worked the Venitian Room with Walter Atkin's Four Notes in 1952 and 1953.  He worked with many of the other early Hall Of Fame inductees including Speck Redd, Francis Bates, Helen Gale and Ross Cornelison.  He played at the Offfice Lounge with Helen Gale, Ross Cornelison  and singer Cheryl Carpenter.  Later, he played in the house band at Johnny Critelli's Tropical Lounge with Francis Bates.  Over the years, he the opportunity to play with many of jazz greats that came through Des Moines, including Coleman Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Eddie Peabody, Pearl Bailey, Mary Lou Williams, The Harmonicats and even the great Art Tatum.  One of his last long running engagements was at the Savery Hotel with Irene Myles, Jim Bierma and eventually Julius Brooks.