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bobby lyle

Bobby Lyle

b. Robert Lyle, 11th March 1944, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Bobby Lyle is an excellent pianist and keyboardist.

He grew up in Minneapolis and at age six took piano lessons from his mother who was a church organist.

Bobby played clarinet for a period in junior high school before switching back to piano.

He considers Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Bill Evans, Erroll Garner and Art Tatum to have been his early influences.

Bobby's first gig was when he was 16 and, after two years of college, in 1964 he became a full time musician.

He spent six years playing locally in Minneapolis and then toured for two years with Young-Holt Unlimited.

After returning to Minneapolis for local work (recording a set, 'Bobby Lyle Plays The GX1', in 1974 that was released only in Japan), in 1976 Lyle moved to Los Angeles where he quickly got a job with Sly and the Family Stone.

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the genie - 1977 / new warrior - 1978 / night fire - 1979 / ivory dreams - 1989

After playing with Ronnie Laws, he recorded two solo albums for Capitol.

Lyle made guest appearances on recordings by George Benson, Phyllis Hyman and Esther Phillips and in the early 1980's toured with Benson and became Bette Midler's musical director.

After two years with Al Jarreau, Bobby recorded a straight ahead combo date for King (which was reissued as an Evidence CD), conducted for Anita Baker in 1986 and worked with Gerald Albright.

That year he began a long association with Atlantic with his 1991 album of piano solo's 'Pianomagic' being one of the highlights of his career.

In the late 1990's, Bobby Lyle remains a highly versatile keyboardist, both as a leader (frequently appearing in the Los Angeles area).

Real Player

Albums:

Bobby Lyle Plays The GX1 (CBS Japan Records 1974)

The Genie (Capitol Records 1977)

New Warrior (Capitol Records 1978)

Night Fire (Capitol Records 1979)

Night Breeze (Evidence Records 1985)

Ivory Dreams (Atlantic Records 1989)

In Process (Ken Records 1990)

The Journey (Atlantic Records 1990)

Brian Lynch & Melvin Rhyne at Main Event (Criss Cross Records 1991)

Pianomagic (Atlantic Records 1991)

Secret Island (Atlantic Records 1992)

Rhythm Stories (Atlantic Records 1994)

Power of Touch (Atlantic Records 1997)

Joyful (Atlantic Records 2002)

Straight & Smooth (Atlantic Records 2004)

Hands On (Heads Up Records 2006)

The Way I Feel (New Warrior Music Records 2013)

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