Bob McCracken
b. 23 November 1904, Dallas, Texas, USA, d. 4 July 1972, Los Angeles, California, USA. McCracken's early clarinet playing included work in Doc Ross's band with Jack Teagarden. He worked in Chicago and New York with Willard Robison's Band in the late '20s before returning to Texas. It was only in 1939 that he settled in Chicago and worked with various artists including trumpeters Jimmy McPartland and Wingy Manone. His elegant playing fitted well with the Louis Armstrong All Stars with whom he played in the early '50s, touring Europe in 1952-53. He played with Kid Ory's Band before settling in California, where he continued playing with Ben Pollack (drums), Pete Dailey (cornet), Jack Teagarden and Wild Bill Davison.