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BOB ZURKE
Boguslaw Albert Zukowski - that was Bob Zurke’s real civil full name - was born in the neighborhood of Detroit on January 17, 1912. Bob was the sixth child of eight. He represented the too common tragic story of the hard-living musician. In his youth Robert received training in piano. In his teens he started playing out more often in bands than as a soloist. During the late 1920s and early 1930s he played with various outfits between New York and Detroit - undisciplined and hard drinking. Zurke already looked ten years older than he was. He recorded his first songs in 1928. Zurke already looked ten years older than he was. Late 1936 he joined Bob Crosby’s “BobCats”.
Bob Zurke (p), Bob Haggart (b), Eddie Miller (sx), Ray Bauduc (dr), Paul Whiteman and Bob Crosby
At that time Zurke was very popular and well known pianist by jazz fans. In 1939 he won “Downbeat” magazine's poll for best piano player. In the same year he left Bob Crosby and organized his own band which did not succeed and broke up soon.
Due to alimony problems he suffered a short period in jail. Released in summer 1940 he worked in Chicago and Detroit. Later in August 1942 he moved to Los Angeles. There he recorded the title tune to Walt Lantz's cartoon film Jungle Jive in January 1944. A month later on February 16, 1944 he died after a collapse only 32 years of age.
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