Introduction
American musician Bob Snyder (August 11, 1936August 28, 2019) was a musician known for playing tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet, and .American musician Bob Snyder (August 11, 1936August 28, 2019) was a musician known for playing tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet, and .
He performed with The Airmen of Note, the Glenn Miller Air Force Dance Band, and Lionel .He performed with The Airmen of Note, the Glenn Miller Air Force Dance Band, and Lionel .
He also served as staff musician for Motown Records, Stax Records, and WJR .He also served as staff musician for Motown Records, Stax Records, and WJR .
He made a very popular clarinet recording of the song "Amazing Grace" at the Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island) on Mackinac Island, .He made a very popular clarinet recording of the song "Amazing Grace" at the Grand Hotel (Mackinac Island) on Mackinac Island, .
Dick Johnson, when in charge of the Artie Shaw Orchestra, said Snyder was the best musician playing at the .Dick Johnson, when in charge of the Artie Shaw Orchestra, said Snyder was the best musician playing at the .
Early life
Bob Snyder was born in Danville, Indiana on August 11, .Bob Snyder was born in Danville, Indiana on August 11, .
Snyder graduated from Danville High School in 1954 and spent a semester at Butler .Snyder graduated from Danville High School in 1954 and spent a semester at Butler .
Snyder spent eight years in the Marine Reserves, where he played with the band, and with Glenn Miller's Air Force Dance .Snyder spent eight years in the Marine Reserves, where he played with the band, and with Glenn Miller's Air Force Dance .
As a studio musician he played with Branford Marsalis, Diana Ross, The Temptations, After retiring from that job, he began touring the United States, mostly performing in .As a studio musician he played with Branford Marsalis, Diana Ross, The Temptations, After retiring from that job, he began touring the United States, mostly performing in .
He also said Snyder "moves easily from New Orleans jazz standards to Artie Shaw classics, from Christmas carols to spirituals, all without missing a beat or finding anything strange about the varied ."He also said Snyder "moves easily from New Orleans jazz standards to Artie Shaw classics, from Christmas carols to spirituals, all without missing a beat or finding anything strange about the varied ."
Eddie Hubbard played the record on his Stardust radio network program, distributed by ABC Radio .Eddie Hubbard played the record on his Stardust radio network program, distributed by ABC Radio .
As of 2000, 1500 radio stations, including gospel and jazz, were playing the record .As of 2000, 1500 radio stations, including gospel and jazz, were playing the record .
As of June 2004, the recording had sold one million .As of June 2004, the recording had sold one million .
Post-retirement
As of 2011, Snyder lived in Graceville, Florida with his wife .As of 2011, Snyder lived in Graceville, Florida with his wife .
He reportedly played with the Baptist College of Florida Jazz Band and served as assistant band director at Holmes County High .He reportedly played with the Baptist College of Florida Jazz Band and served as assistant band director at Holmes County High .
He also performed with a group of students from Graceville, Marianna, and many other cities called The Piano Road .He also performed with a group of students from Graceville, Marianna, and many other cities called The Piano Road .
Snyder became Honorary Mayor of San Antonio, Texas when he visited and performed for injured military .Snyder became Honorary Mayor of San Antonio, Texas when he visited and performed for injured military .
Snyder was also named to Danville High School's Alumni Hall of .Snyder was also named to Danville High School's Alumni Hall of .
The first Bob and Jan Snyder Achievement Award, for a clarinet or saxophone player, was given June 14, .The first Bob and Jan Snyder Achievement Award, for a clarinet or saxophone player, was given June 14, .
Snyder died on August 28, .Snyder died on August 28, .