Bob Birch

Early life[edit]

At an early age, Birch was inspired to pursue music by his father Chet, an upright bassist. Birch began playing the alto saxophone and mirroring the styles of Paul Desmond and Cannonball Adderley. He learned quickly and was soon recognized by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association for his wins at music festival competitions. Around seventh grade, Birch tried out the electric bass because of his fascination with the Motown sound, as well as groups like Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears. He began playing on his junior-high band director Art Dries's Mosrite bass at lunch breaks. Because he also had a passion for classical music, Birch focused his school studies on the bassoon. As a senior in high school, he won the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. He received a scholarship from the state of Michigan to enroll in Wayne State University in Detroit as a pre-med student. Birch played six nights a week on the Detroit club scene while attending classes during the day. He went on to graduate with a bachelor's degree in music education and performance from Wayne State University.^[1]