Bob Bailey Quartet
Classic Swing
Saturday, October 27, 2007 at 07:30 PM
Vieve Gore Concert Hall

Probably no official dance space, but the organizer (who said she is also a swing dancer) said that it's amazing to hear stories from someone of Bob Bailey's age who is also so young. The music keeps him young, he says. She said there will be opportunity to chat with him after the performance.

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Often, behind every great voice, is a great rehearsal pianist. And although 85-year-old Bob Bailey was rarely the main attraction, he used his talent to coach some of Hollywood's most timeless voices of the swing jazz era, giving tips to soulful singers like Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby and Mel Torme.

Those still reminiscing about the golden days of music during the 1940s and 1950s can bring back the memories with a showcase from Bailey, as he plays in a quartet Saturday for the monthly Excellence in the Community Concert series.

"I created this because I became frustrated when I frequently saw all these fabulous musicians who were always playing in the background," said Jeff Whiteley, the concert's director. "So I decided to showcase top-drawer musicians in a concert hall setting."

The smooth and classic sound of idolized vocalists didn't happen by chance. Bailey helped refine their songs and made it look easy. And although celebrities had the pressure of singing in front of thousands, Bailey had the charge of helping them perform flawlessly before they stepped into the spotlight.

"The stars would blame me if I ever let them learn it wrong or if they went out there and didn't sing it right, so I had to make sure they learned their pieces correctly," said Bailey, who lives in Provo.

Because Baily practiced alongside the famous, he had a more intimate look into their personalities as he became one of the more comfortable fixtures in their lives.

Nat King Cole sometimes brought his little daughter, Natalie, to rehearsals, and she'd sit next to Bailey and slam the piano keys whenever she wasn't getting enough attention.

Their practices became even more informal when Cole and Bailey took breaks for mini improv sessions on the piano.

"He'd play left hand and I'd play right," Bailey said. "It was just for fun and was a nice diversion for both of us."

Although Bailey was often behind the scenes offering advice to the big voices, he also made his own appearances, like the time he played the piano at a party for President Richard Nixon. Baily received the same treatment as stars like Bob Hope, who were flown to the celebration in Air Force One. And in case there weren't enough famous entertainers on the plane, they stopped in Alabama to pick up John Wayne.