[78-L] Bob Inman, R.I.P.

[Scott]

This was just sent from Dan Morgenstern on the Jazz Research list.  

Bob Inman, 1920-2010

In early November, I received a letter from Bob Inman, whose l936-1938
Diaries and Radio Logs (and photographs) were compiled by Ken Vail and
published as "Swing Era Scrap Book" in the Institute of Jazz Studies and
Scarecrow Press's Studies in Jazz Series in 2005--a remarkable augmentation
of our knowledge of a key period in jazz history. 

Mr. Inman asked if the Institute would be interested in his copy of "Rhythm
On Record," containing 122 autographs acquired from 1937 through 1989. The
letter included a phone contact, so I called right away. A lady answered,
told me Mr. Inman was ailing but that he would want to take my call. (We had
met many, many years ago.) When he came to the 'phone, he sounded very weak,
but coherent. I thanked him profusely and he said he would send the book,
but only by registered mail. This meant that I had to trek to the Newark
main post office, about 2 miles away, but it was certainly worth the time
(and good exercise to boot). The book, equipped with a handwritten index to
the autographs, including dates obtained, is a marvel. Aside from famous
names, there are big-band (and small group) sidemen (some complete bands are
represented). There's Charlie Christian (still "Charles"), and such niceties
as Benny Carter, on the same page, in 1939 and 1988. There are also notatio
ns of conversations, such as one with Claude Jones, who said that John
Nesbit created the McKinney's C.P. style, and that lack of recognition was
the cause of his fatal drinking. I sent a warm thank you note, but sadly,
Ken Vail informed me yesterday that Robert Inman died on December 15, in a
hospice near his home in Fort Pierce, Florida. He was born August 2, l920 in
Leonia, New Jersey. He belongs in the Fans Hall of Fame. 

Dan 

 

 

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