Bobby Hackett Story

Bobby Hackett was a famous trumpet (cornet) player. It could be said that he ensured his musical legacy when he recorded an album called, "For Lovers Only." He was under contract with Capitol Records at the time and the conductor of the orchestra backing Hackett for this album turned out to be Jackie Gleason. Yep, that Jackie Gleason. 

Hackett's lush "romantic" sound was his trademark. He was originally a guitar player. His background on this instrument most likely influenced his melodic approach to fusing chords the way he did. It was as though he were massaging the notes one at a time. To this day, "For Lovers Only" is being successfully marketed and enjoyed by generations of new music lovers the world over.

(May I digress a bit and mention that Johnny Noubarian's trio backed up Hackett some years ago here in London at a supper club called Campbell's. Most likely it was the 60's. )

On the private side of Bobby Hackett it could be said he was a true gentleman in the purest sense of the word. He never had anything negative to say about any musician, or for that matter, anyone. His reluctance to bad-mouth anyone soon became legendary in the music business. Beside his wonderful trumpet playing fellow musicians would comment on what a up-standing individual he was for being so considerate and mild mannered.

The story goes that a few musicians got together and conspired to "trick" Bobby into saying something negative or demeaning about a person so revolting that even Bobby wouldn't be able to skirt the obvious.

A couple of these well intentioned musicians approached Bobby one day and off-handedly said "Bobby, what do you think about Adolph Hitler?"

Bobby pondered the question for a few seconds (The guys no doubt thought." Aha... We got him."). "Well", said Bobby slowly and deliberately, "He was the best in his field."

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