This Bay Area band debuted in 1990 and this page is for the leader of this great band, BOB MIELKE. He began playing jazz in the early 1940s in his native San Francisco.

In 1947-48, he played in New York with two legends of jazz, saxophone great Sidney Bechet and the New Orleans trumpeter, Bunk Johnson. Mielke recorded with Bechet and the Bob Wilber’s Wildcats while in N.Y. Returning west, he earned a music degree and ‘gigged’ full-time in the bay area.

He later worked and recorded with the Dayton Dixieland Rhythm Kings. Returning home, Bob then fronted the Bearcats in the 50s and 60s. In 1959, he played the Monterey Jazz Festival; he recorded with George Lewis, clarinet. He worked with Wingy, Malone, and Muggsy Spanier and Joe Sullivan. Turk Murphy called Bob to fill-in whenever he needed a sub for himself. Now, Bob plays in the Turk Murphy alumni Jazz Band, led by Murphy veteran, Bob Schulz.

Bob Mielke has also recorded with Lu Watters, Bob Scobey, Pat Yankee, Barbara Dane, Bob Schulz, Hal Smith, Ev Farley, Dick Oxtot, Ted Shafer and Butch Thompson.

Mielke’s trombone has a personal sound, a distinct style that jazz enthusiasts recognize instantly. His early influences were the great tailgate ensemble trombonists, Kid Ory, Turk Murphy and George Brunis. Later, solo giants of mainstream trombone captured his attention: J.C. Higginbotham, Lawrence Brown and “Tricky Sam” Nanton - of Duke Ellington fame - Tyree Glenn, and Vic Dickerson.