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Bob Bertles

Bob Bertles (6 March 1939 – 30 December 2024) was an Australian jazz alto, tenor and baritone saxophonist and bandleader.

Life and career

Bertles was born in Melbourne on 6 March 1939.[1] 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.[2]

Active in clubs, on TV, as a session musician and on the pop-rock scene, he toured with Johnny O'Keefe.[3]

In 1967 Bertles temporarily joined Sydney-based rock-soul band Max Merritt & The Meteors.[2] 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.[4] In 1974, after the group split, Bertles joined Ian Carr's Nucleus.[3]

In later years Bertles 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.[3]

In addition to regular concerts, festivals, session work, and touring, Bertles' later projects included recording and live performances with Sydney's renowned Ten Part Invention.[3]

Bertles died on 30 December 2024, at the age of 85.[5][1]

Discography

Albums

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

ARIA Music Awards

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 [6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Australian jazz musician Bob Bertles breathes his last at 85". The International News. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Seat-of-the-pants advocate". The Age. 18 April 1986. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d "Bob Bertles Quintet". The Sydney Morning Herald. 11 November 2005. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Max Merritt & the Meteors". Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  5. ^ Cashmere, Paul (1 January 2025). "Australian Jazz Musician Bob Bertles Dies Aged 85". Noise 11. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  6. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 25 June 2022.