June 8, 1935 —November 1, 2023
Pre-deceased by father Morley and mother Nellie Livingston, loving wife Carole Livingston, and sister Jean Baker-Pearce. Survived by sons Robert, Jeffrey, John, and Peter Livingston and sister Kathryn Grimley. Survived by grandsons Blake Livingston (Grace), Andrew Livingston (Megan), and their mother, Dianne Hills (Steve). Survived by step-daughter Debbie Christmas (Doug) and step-son Doug Christmas (Sue), cousin Jim Kinnell, niece Sarah A. Orr, and great grand-sons Cole and Riv Livingston.
Sadly we announce the passing of Bob Livingston at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ontario, on November 1, 2023.
Bob Livingston was one of Canada’s finest jazz trombonists. He was born in Barrie, Ontario and began his musical career at Barrie Collegiate Institute (Barrie Central Collegiate). In Grade 9 he was given a trombone to play by his music teacher, W.A. Fisher. As Bob described, “It was an old trombone which [I] didn’t even know how to hold.”
Bob grew to love the sound of the horn, listening to early jazz greats on the radio and records. He quickly excelled at playing in the Barrie Collegiate Band. It was noted by many of Bob’s peers that Mr. Fisher was instrumental in fostering Bob’s love of the trombone and career progression. By late Grade 9, Mr. Fisher drove Bob to Toronto to compete in the Kiwanis Festival for trombones. According to Bob, there were two pieces to play, and he won! This was followed by many successful musical competitions throughout high school. Mr. Fisher arranged for Bob to take trombone lessons from Harry Hawe, the principal trombonist for both the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony band.
After high school, Bob joined the original Glen Miller Orchestra under the direction of Ray McKinle which toured throughout the United States. In 1962, Bob returned to Canada to play in the six-piece band called The Muddies. Bob made this decision to be close to his wife and young sons in Aurora, remarking that this was the best decision he ever made. Bob also went on to play in the All-Stars Tribute to Glen Miller band for 15 years.
Over the years Bob shared the stage with many musical/entertainment luminaries, including Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Bob Hope, Red Skeleton, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Sara Vaughan, Jack Benny, Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Tom Jones, Liberace, Engelbert Humperdinck, and Mel Tormé, as well as Canada’s Paul Anka and Ann Murray.
Bob performed on numerous TV series such as The Muppets, Sesame Street, Danger Bay, the Tommy Hunter Show, Rainbow Country, the Geordie Tapp Show, The Young and the Restless, the Bobby Vinton Show and the Bob McLean Show.
The Toronto music scene provided Bob with many venues such as the Royal Alexandra Theatre, O’Keefe Theatre, Roy Thompson Hall and many shows such as Chorus Line, Man from La Mancha, Crazy For You and Fosse. He could also be heard in many jazz clubs including the Savarin, Colonial, Owl’s Nest and Sheraton Hotel.
The studio was another setting where Bob thrived for 40 years on many recordings for TV, radio shows, feature films, jingles and commercials.
Bob was a founding member of The Boss Brass led by a fellow trombonist, Rob McConnell. The band became known as the leading big band in Canada. Career highlights with the Boss Brass include playing on Grammy and Juno award recordings and touring extensively through Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Bob also performed with The Spitfire band, on many of their albums and in live shows.
Bob will be remembered as a very humble and giving musician. However he was very demanding of his own skills, performances….his music had to be perfect! He was always willing to share his expertise with his peers and younger musicians.
He will also be remembered as a loving husband to Carole. He wrote many songs dedicated to Carole expressing his love for her the best way that he knew how……through music.
A celebration of Bob’s life and music will be planned for Spring 2024.
Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca.