Rob McConnell, OC (14 February 1935 – 1 May 2010) is best known as founder and leader of the Boss Brass. A valve trombonist, composer, arranger and orchestrator, he was born in London, Ontario and came to prominence in the vibrant Toronto studio scene of the 1950s and 60s. He played with the bands of Bobby Gimby and Maynard Ferguson while studying theory and arranging with Gordon Delamont. McConnell assembled the original Boss Brass from Toronto studio A-list musicians in 1968, to record instrumental versions of pop tunes. He added a saxophone section in 1970. In 1977, McConnell recorded a double LP called Big Band Jazz. This was a 'direct cut' LP using Direct-to-disc recording. It won a 1978 Juno Award. It also announced the Boss Brass as one of the world's finest big bands. His 1983 All in Good Time album won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Recording, an unheard-of achievement for a Canadian outfit. Years of recording and touring followed, with brilliant arrangements, virtuoso soloists and precision ensemble work, all presided over by the benign friendliness of Rob McConnell himself - a jazz giant.
To check our listings of Rob McConnell recordings in various formats:
