Bob Belden

Bob Belden ranked among the boldest arrangers active across the 1990s and 2000s, recasting operas by Puccini along with songs by Prince and, most rewardingly, Sting into jazz settings. He earned his degree from the University of North Texas in 1978, spent the next year and a half in Woody Herman’s Orchestra, collaborated intermittently with Donald Byrd from 1981 through 1985, performed in the Mel Lewis Orchestra, and oversaw a pair of Red Rodney sessions as producer. Settling permanently in New York during 1983, he concentrated on writing for studio dates. Drawing inspiration from Gil Evans, Belden made his recording debut for Sunnyside with Treasure Island and subsequently devoted himself to converting material from outside jazz into jazz repertoire. He also contributed to Columbia Records’ program of Miles Davis reissues. In partnership with trumpeter Tim Hagans, Belden released the live album Re-Animation Live! on Blue Note in 2000. The following year Black Dahlia appeared, featuring a twelve-part orchestra that honored Elizabeth Short, the well-known Hollywood actress murdered in 1947. Belden suffered a fatal heart attack in Manhattan during May 2015 at the age of fifty-eight.