A top arranger influenced by Bill Holman, Bob Florence regularly leads a big band in the Los Angeles area. He worked as a pianist and arranger for Si Zentner's band during 1959-1964; his chart on "Up a Lazy River" was a hit in 1960. Florence has worked extensively in the studios and in commercial music (he is the longtime musical director for Julie Andrews) and played with the 1980's version of the Dave Pell Octet, but has also led his own orchestra off and on since 1958. That year, he recorded an obscure trio date and a couple of big band albums. His orchestra backed Big Miller in 1961 and there were recordings in 1965 and 1968, but Florence hit his stride in 1979 with a big band set for Trend. Since then, he has recorded fairly regularly for Trend/Discovery, Bosco, USA, and the MAMA Foundation.

Bob Florence's arrangements are among the most colorful (and challenging) in jazz.
He passed away in his native town, Los Angeles, on May 15, 2008.

Scott Yanow -All Music Guide