ESU To Award Honorary Doctorate To Jazz Pianist, Singer, Songwriter Bob Dorough

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania will confer an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree on acclaimed jazz pianist, singer, songwriter Robert L. "Bob" Dorough, at its winter undergraduate commencement ceremonies on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in Koehler Fieldhouse.

The honorary doctorate, will honor Mr. Dorough for, among other things, his extraordinary contributions to the fields of music and entertainment. In addition to his song-writing capabilities, Mr. Dorough is considered by many to be an adventurous, risk-taking master of vocalese (the process of writing and singing lyrics to instrumental jazz solos). Mr. Dorough also has taught as an instructor in the ESU music department at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Born in Cherry Hill, Ark., Mr. Dorough gradually found his way to music, culminating in total commitment when he played clarinet in the Plainview High School Band (Plainview, Texas), where he also began writing. During World War II, he served in a Special Services Army Band, playing clarinet, saxophone, and piano, and composing and arranging music. After this he continued his college education, earning a bachelor of music degree, with a major in composition, from what is now North Texas University (1949). He immediately moved to New York City, attended Columbia University and immersed himself in the city's rapidly evolving jazz scene. He began working as a jazz musician and by the mid 1950's was working as a song writer and performer appearing in clubs both in the U.S. and Europe. Later in his career, the Bob Dorough Trio traveled to South America on a State Department-sponsored tour that involved more than 20 concerts and workshops in seven countries.

Mr. Dorough's musical career spans more than six decades with more than a dozen albums recorded. His first album, "Devil May Care," was recorded in 1956. Some of the highlights in his career include: sharing the stage with notables like Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines, Lenny Bruce, Miles Davis, and Count Basie; recording with singer Blossom Dearie in Paris; songwriting collaborations with musical greats including Fran Landesman and Dave Frishberg; serving as musical director of "Schoolhouse Rock" (videos that entertained and educated youngsters on ABC-TV during the 70s, 80s and 90s); and ongoing club and concert dates in several countries.

Mr. Dorough has been honored many times for his musical achievements. In 2002, Pennsylvania Governor Mark S. Schweiker honored him as the state's Artist of the Year, and he was also inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame. He is most proud of his daughter, Aralee Dorough/Gatwood, who is the principal flutist of the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
He resides with his wife, Sally Shanley Dorough, in Mount Bethel, Pa.