Bobby Stark
b. 6 January 1906, New York City, New York, USA, d. 29 December 1945. After learning to play several instruments Stark settled on trumpet, and by the mid-20s he was well-known on the New York club scene. He played briefly with McKinney's Cotton Pickers and Chick Webb, then joined Fletcher Henderson for five years. He followed this with another five-year job, this time with Webb. After Webb's death he continued for a while under Ella Fitzgerald's leadership, then entered the US Army during the early part of World War II. In 1943 he was with Garvin Bushell, then played in various bands, including Benny Morton's, until his early death in December 1945. A strikingly individualistic soloist, Stark's playing changed over the years from a forceful extrovert style, to one that was thoughtfully melodic.