Known and revered as a robustly talented and tireless organizer, leader, and participant in the arts and civic affairs for over fifty years, Bob enriched the soul of all who were fortunate enough to be in his presence. Born in the Bronx, NY, into a family which excelled in the performing arts, he was introduced to and forever influenced by America's original musical art form, Jazz, during his school years there when he learned and performed on the trumpet.
Washington served in the Army during World War II, and later worked for the Veterans Administration and US Postal Service. Soon after, he married his beloved wife Helen, moved to Long Island and was a civic leader and organizer for the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in the newly established “Interracial" community of Wyandanch. During this period, he founded the local Kiwanis Club Chapter, and hosted a Jazz Radio Show, The Grooveyard, using the sobriquet, “Sir Bob-O, The Swingin' Knight of The Turntable." Bob and Helen raised two children, Howard and Valerie, and in 1980, moved to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. They immediately became leaders in the civic and arts activities there while Bob rejoined the US Postal service. In 1989, their home and the island were devastated by hurricane Hugo, leading to their relocation to The Villages in Florida.
They soon began active participation in the Florida arts community: Helen became a stalwart and prize garnering member of the Art League, and was active in stage productions as a cast member and production assistant. Bob founded the Drama Club, (for which he wrote, and directed several productions), the African-American Club and the Jazz Lovers' Club (JLC) during his first three years in The Villages. The Grooveyard was reborn as a series of tape, and later CD compilations that were distributed and coveted by Jazz fans all over the globe. He remained President of 750 member JLC, whose regular meetings featured live concerts by the finest local musicians, as well as videos of historical performances by Jazz masters, until his passing. Helen died in 2004, and their son Howard in 2000. Bob endured a series of medical setbacks in 2009 that resulted in his relocation to an assisted living facility near Seattle, WA in August of that year.
In 2010, The Jazz Lovers' Club established The (Annual) Bob Washington Jazz Scholarship Program, providing financial assistance to deserving young musicians desiring to further their education in Jazz studies. The JLC has been joined by The More Jazz Club of The Villages to further this endeavor.
Bob Washington is survived by Daughter Valerie (Henry), (Kirkland WA), and sister Shirley Codrington, (Alpharetta, GA). Contributions in his name may be sent to: The Bob Washington Jazz Scholarship Committee, c/o Charles Gray, 1415 Carrillo St., The Villages, FL 32162-0219.
“Dad often said that 'Pure jazz is music that recording technicians haven't 'fixed' during final editing, or 'mixing,' reflected Valerie. “He long subscribed to the belief that real jazz has and needs 'no fix in the mix.'"
The jazz community has benefited greatly from Bob Washington's lifelong dedication to the music and its artists, and he will be profoundly missed.
