Bobby Plater

Robert C. Plater (May 13, 1914, Newark, New Jersey - November 20, 1982, Lake Tahoe) was an American jazz alto saxophonist.

Plater began playing alto sax at age 12, and played locally in Newark with Donald Lambert and the Savoy Dictators in the 1930s. He played with Tiny Bradshaw from 1940 to 1942 before spending 1942-45 serving in the U.S. military during World War II. After his discharge he worked briefly with Cootie Williams, then played intermittently with Lionel Hampton between 1946 and 1964. He also did arrangements with Hampton, and did some freelance work besides. In 1964 he took Frank Wess's place in the Count Basie Orchestra, where he played until his death in 1982. His only recordings as a leader were four songs for Bullet Records in 1950.

Plater was the co-composer of "Jersey Bounce", a popular dance number in the 1940s, recorded by various musicians including Glenn Miller and Ella Fitzgerald.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 13, 1914 (Newark), Died November 20, 1982

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1941 - 1968

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, flute, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-063330 10-in. 4/3/1941 Jersey bounce Earl Hines Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-071919 10-in. 2/16/1942 Jersey bounce New Music [Shep Fields] Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-073503 10-in. 3/4/1942 Jersey bounce Four King Sisters ; Rhythm Reys Female vocal quartet, with jazz/dance band composer  
Victor BS-074093 10-in. 2/19/1942 Jersey bounce Jan Savitt ; Top Hatters Jazz/dance band composer  
Victor MBS-092576 10-in. before 3/6/1951 Jersey bounce PĂ©rez Prado Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Decca 73287 1/21/1946 Pinetop's boogie woogie-1 Bing Crosby instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73288 1/21/1946 On the sunny side of the street-2 Bing Crosby instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73324 1/29/1946 Rockin' in rhythm, part 1 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73325 1/29/1946 Rockin' in rhythm, part 2 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73326 1/29/1946 Gay notes Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73327 1/29/1946 Tempo's birthday Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73332 1/31/1946 Cobb's idea Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73333 1/31/1946 Air mail special, part 1 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73334 1/31/1946 Air Mail special, part 2 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74730 1/28/1949 Hamp's boogie woogie No.2 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74731 1/28/1949 Hamp's gumbo Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74732 1/28/1949 Beulah's sister's boogie Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74733 1/28/1949 Wee Albert Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74853 4/26/1949 What's happening baby? Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74854 4/26/1949 Drinking wine spo-dee-o-dee Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74897 5/10/1949 The hucklebuck Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74898 5/10/1949 Baby, you're great Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75636 12/29/1949 Rag mop Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75637 12/29/1949 For you my love Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75638 12/29/1949 Sky blue Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75664 1/5/1950 I've been a fool Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75665 1/5/1950 How you sound Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75666 1/5/1950 I almost lost my mind Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75743 1/25/1950 Everybody's somebody's fool Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75744 1/25/1950 I'll never be free Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75745 1/25/1950 Sad feelin' Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75746 1/25/1950 Hamp's gumbo Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75752 1/25/1950 Please give me a chance Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 75753 1/25/1950 I wish I knew Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 76021 3/23/1950 Turkey hop, part 1 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 76022 3/23/1950 Turkey hop, part 2 Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 76168 4/18/1950 Birmingham bounce Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 76169 4/18/1950 Jelly Roll Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 76205 4/11/1950 Birmingham bounce Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 76206 4/11/1950 Jelly roll Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 76207 4/11/1950 Cannonball express Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 113017 1/30/1963 Air mail special Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 119508 8/16/1967 Green onions Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 4008 10-in. 12/1/1945 Slide Hamp, slide Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4009 10-in. 12/1/1945 Hey-ba-ba-re-bop Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4287 9/9/1946 Playboy Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4288 9/9/1946 Cobb's idea Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4289 9/9/1946 Tempo's birthday Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4290 9/9/1946 Adam blew his hat Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4297 9/17/1946 The pencil broke Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4298 9/17/1946 Empty glass (Normania) Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4299 9/17/1946 Hamp's walkin' boogie Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4300 9/23/1946 Don't let the landlord gyp you Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4301 9/23/1946 I'm mindin' my business Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4302 9/23/1946 Dig those vibes Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4303 9/23/1946 Reminiscing mood Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4304 9/23/1946 Ribbons in your hair Lionel Hampton Octet instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4305 9/23/1946 Double talk Lionel Hampton Octet instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4306 9/23/1946 'S wonderful Lionel Hampton Octet instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4307 9/23/1946 Jack the fox boogie Lionel Hampton Octet instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4481 8/6/1947 You better be satisfied Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4482 8/6/1947 Hamp's got a Duke Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4483 8/6/1947 Gone again Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4484 8/6/1947 3 minutes on 52nd Street Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4528 11/3/1947 Goldwyn stomp Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4529 11/3/1947 Red top Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4530 11/3/1947 Giddy up Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4543 11/10/1947 Hawk's nest Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4544 11/10/1947 Mingus fingers Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4545 11/10/1947 Muchacho azul Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 4546 11/10/1947 Midnight sun Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5757 7/25/1950 Well, oh well Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5758 7/25/1950 Pink champagne Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5759 7/25/1950 September in the rain Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5895 10/27/1950 Boogie woogie Santa Claus Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5896 10/27/1950 Merry Christmas baby Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5897 10/30/1950 June Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5898 10/30/1950 Perdido Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 5899 10/30/1950 If you ever learn to love Lionel Hampton Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca L 14618 8/16/1967 Goin' out of my head Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14619 8/16/1967 Hang on sloopy Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14620 8/16/1967 Green onions Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14621 8/16/1967 Knock on wood Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14622 8/15/1967 Bright lights, big city Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14623 8/15/1967 Mercy, mercy, mercy Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14624 8/15/1967 Don't let the sun catch you crying-1 Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14625 8/15/1967 Ain't too proud to beg Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14626 8/17/1967 Let the good times roll Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14627 8/17/1967 Reach out, I'll be there Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14628 8/17/1967 In the heat of the night Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14629 8/17/1967 Memphis, Tennessee Count Basie Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14785 1/4/1968 I was made to love her (the way I love you) Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14786 1/3/1968 Respect Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14787 1/4/1968 I never loved a woman (The way I love you) Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14788 1/3/1968 Chain gang Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14789 1/3/1968 Uptight (Everything's alright) Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14790 1/3/1968 Ode to Billy Joe Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14791 1/3/1968 My girl Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14792 1/3/1968 For your precious love Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14793 1/3/1968 (I can't get no) Satisfaction Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14794 1/4/1968 In the midnight hour Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14795 1/4/1968 Funky Broadway Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  
Decca L 14796 1/4/1968 Even when you cry Count Basie instrumentalist, alto saxophone, flute  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Plater, Bobby," accessed May 10, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100152.

Plater, Bobby. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 10, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100152.

"Plater, Bobby." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 10 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100152

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