Stark, Bobby (actually, Robert Victor)
Stark, Bobby (actually, Robert Victor)
Stark, Bobby (actually, Robert Victor), jazz trumpeter; b. N.Y., Jan. 6, 1906; d. N.Y., Dec. 29, 1945. Stark began on the alto horn at 15, and studied piano and reed instruments before specializing on trumpet. His first professional work was subbing for June Clark at Small’s, N.Y. (late 1925); he then played for many bandleaders in N.Y. He worked with Chick Webb on and off during 1926–27. He joined Fletcher Henderson early in 1928 and remained with that band until late 1933, except for a brief spell with Elmer Snowden in early 1932. He performed with Chick Webb from 1934 until 1939, then freelanced awhile. In November 1942, he was in the U.S. Army, but was discharged a year later due to an injury. He returned to N.Y. in late 1943 and gigged with various leaders, including Garvin Bushell and Benny Motion, until his death. Roy Eldridge has acknowledged Stark as an influence.
—John Chilton , Who’s Who of Jazz/Lewis Porter