Home » Member Page

Barbara Effros

Granddaughter of Bob Effros Jazz Trumpeter & Composer (Performed w Satchmo, Handy and Bix on Mississippi River Boats & Big Bands: Gershwin, Lopez, Whiteman, and Fleisher Cartoon Orchestras

About Me

Robert “Bob” Effros was born December 6th, 1900 in London, England. At the age of three, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Moving to the South was important to the foundations of Jazz trumpet playing that would influence Bob throughout his illustrious career as a musician. Bob ran away from home at age eleven and took a job on a Mississippi river boat.. It was on this river boat where he learned to play the coronet which lead him to his true love; the trumpet. His course of trumpet playing began as a teenager in the military and progressed into orchestral performances and studio recording later in his life.

Between 1917 and 1919, Bob served as a bugler in the United States Army. After the war ended, Bob settled down in Baltimore playing under big band leader Bea Palmer.Throughout the 20's, Bob played the trumpet as a member of the Vincent Lopez Orchestra. The trumpeter flourished in this environment which lead him to write several hit songs such as ”Why The Twenties Roared” and “Cornfed” in 1927. Much of Bob's success can be attributed to the songwriting he did for recording artists such as Fletcher Henderson and Red Nichols. Bob would also return to England to play shows with beautiful and popular singer Annette Hanshaw.

The Vincent Lopez Orchestra toured Europe extensively, but Bob decided he wanted to stay in the States for the remainder of his career. The Vitaphone label hired Effros as a house musician where he joined a group of up-and-coming performers including Louis Armstrong, W.C Handy and banjo player Harry Reser. Within a ten year period Bob Effros appeared on more than 125 different recordings. By 1929, Bob was leading his own orchestra and churning out hits such as “Sweet and Hot”, an ode to Chinese soup. Bob was a staple in the studios through the 40's and made a home for himself in Queens, NY. It was here that he met his wife Selma Sternick. They had two sons, George and Alan Effros.

My Jazz Story

My grandfather, Bob Effros, Jazz Trumpeter gave me the gift of jazz appreciation! Performed and travelled with all the greats: Louis Armstrong, Xavier Cugat, Benny Goodman, Bix Beiderbecke, Dizzy Gillispie, Cab Calloway the Vincent Lopez,Henderson, Whiteman and Fleischer Orchastras. As a child and all the great-grandchildren, cousins and family most knew him for his Pop-eye and Betty Boop trumpeting. Check out our Blog: BobEffros.blogspot.com. We are looking to connect with more families of these Jazz greats!