Trichome

Bob Bertles
Occupation(s)Musician (as instrumentalist, bandleader)
Instrument(s)
Spouse(s)Nancye Hayes

Bob Bertles is an Australian jazz alto, tenor and baritone saxophonist and bandleader.

Life and career[edit]

A self-taught musician, Bertles in the late 1950s and early 60s was a member of the developing modern jazz scene that grew out of venues like the Mocambo in Newtown and the El Rocco Jazz Cellar in Sydney's Kings Cross.[1]

Active in clubs, on TV, as a session musician and on the pop-rock scene, he toured with Johnny O'Keefe.[2]

In 1967 Bertles temporarily joined Sydney-based rock-soul band Max Merritt & The Meteors.[1] Only weeks after joining, Bertles, Merritt and drummer Stewie Speer narrowly escaped death after their van collided head-on with a truck on the way to a country dance; all three were seriously injured and Bertles was left with a permanent limp.[3] In 1974, after the group split, Bertles joined Ian Carr's Nucleus.[2]

In more recent years Bertles has toured Europe extensively, joined the orchestra for the Australian production of the stage musical Chicago, where he met his future wife, theatre performer Nancye Hayes.[2]

In addition to regular concerts, festivals, session work, and touring, Bertles' recent projects include recording and live performances with Sydney's renowned Ten Part Invention.[2]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

List of albums, with selected details
Title Details
Rhythm of the Heart
  • Released: 1995
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Rufus Records (RF017)
Cool Beans
  • Released: 1998
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Rufus Records (RF038)

Awards and nominations[edit]

ARIA Music Awards[edit]

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1996 Rhythm of the Heart Best Jazz Album Nominated [4]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Seat-of-the-pants advocate". The Age. 18 April 1986. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bob Bertles Quintet". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 November 2005. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Max Merritt & the Meteors". Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  4. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 25 June 2022.

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