About Me
Long time Twin Cities resident BOBBY COMMODORE has filled the drum throne for many local ensembles in many different genres of music. His work as a top-notch sound technician at the renowned Dakota Bar & Grill has allowed him to meet, rap and shed with many of the legendary drummers of our time, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Dennis Chambers as well as many of the new breed such as Gregory Hutchinson, Karriem Riggins, Willie Jones III, El Negro Hernandez and Yuron Israel.In 1974, he began a 20-year affiliation with the Grammy Award winning group The Sounds of Blackness with whom he toured the United States and recorded several albums and where he met his wife, Ginger (who was also a member of the Sounds). In a twist, son Brandon now occupies the drum seat for the Sounds!Working with the Sounds lead to many other musical opportunities within the Twin Cities gospel community. He performed and recorded with church choirs, including Greater Sabathani Mass Choir, Pilgrim Rance Majestic Choir, Gospel Choirs United, (highlighted by an appearance with the Gospel Workshop of America Choir under the direction of James Cleveland ). Bobby also played and recorded with the J.D. Steele Singers and the Sam Davis Gospel Ensemble.Throughout this time Bobby played in a few rock and R&B groups and even branched into the theater arena, playing for shows at the Mixed Blood Theater and Penumbra Theater. Then, in 1986 he took the plunge into the world of Jazz. Bobby received a call from friend Sanford Moore to perform with a new group at the Rubys Café. That one time performance lead to a 12-year affiliation as drummer and business manager of the renowned jazz ensemble, MOORE BY FOUR. With MB4, Bobby played to sold-out houses across the Midwest, toured the world playing at prestigious Jazz Festivals and appeared on several PBS specials featuring the ensemble. Being featured with Moore By Four has allowed Bobby to perform on local major stages including Orchestra Hall, The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and The Fitzgerald Theater.Bobby continues to refine his skills while serving as Musical Director and drummer for his wife, Ginger Commodore, and her band GCQ. Bobby defines his playing style as being in the pocket, in-the-groove. Vocalists enjoy working with him because of his big ears and use of dynamics. Local favorites, Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Dennis Spears, Connie Evingson, Yolande Bruce and Cynthia (Funky Town) Johnson have all featured him in their bands.His latest endeavor finds him putting together a new instrumental group that will focus on classic songs that he has always wanted to play and other songs that will be the new classics. The group, BWC, ltd, features the wonderful Lee Blaske on piano and the very melodic Mark Weisberg on bass.
