Bob January's band plays at New York's Waldorf-Astoria in 1987.
Add the late to the list of Bob January
musical luminaries hailing from York County.
Born Robert Slenker, January graduated from York's William Penn High School in 1952.
He went on to play in New York City with the likes of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Charlie Mingus... .
Bob played a bunch of instruments -- saxophone, clarinet, flute, oboe, guitar, trumpet, trombone and drums professionally. He was a versatile musician. Swing. Polkas. Dance numbers. During the formative years of rock and roll, he played regularly at the Peppermint Lounge with Ray Milan and the Quarternotes.
He played at an eclectic list of venues, too. He played at Shea Stadium. The Waldorf-Astoria. He even played for a Warren Buffet birthday party.
January, 72, died at his home in Mexico on Oct. 27. A memorial service is planned for Jan. 24 in New York.
He joins the ranks of York countians who made it big in arts and entertainment. Next post, we'll give a sampling. For now, one of the best known is Craig Sheffer.
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