Jazz Articles about Bobby Lyle

About Bobby Lyle

Album Review

Pianist and composer Bobby Lyle's first encounter with the great Hammond B-3 player Jimmy Smith was in a Minneapolis nightclub called Big Al's, where the then-teenaged Lyle performed as the “local talent" on the downstairs stage. Upstairs, Smith was playing as the headliner and Lyle, after finishing his set as quickly as possible, raced upstairs to hear Smith and perhaps shake his hand.“Jimmy was a black belt in karate," says Lyle of that first meeting. “So when he ...

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Album Review

Bobby Lyle: Hands On

Read "Hands On" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins

by Woodrow Wilkins
July 23, 2006

Bobby Lyle has covered a lot of ground in his career. The keyboard/pianist's versatility has surfaced through his efforts as music director for artists like Bette Midler, Al Jarreau and Anita Baker--and jamming, recording or touring with such giants as Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the Family Stone, the Ronnie Laws Band and George Benson. A little bit of everything from Lyle's experience is present on Hands On, a combination of funk, R&B and smooth jazz. Overall, the ...