After spending a career in international business, you’d think Bob Wagner would want to sit back, relax and enjoy life at his home in St. Paul de Vence, France.Mais, non! Bob is just getting started. This time, it’s his work as a jazzcomposer and musician he’s taking to the next level, delving into a career as a recording artist. It’s work that Bob has always done, just not often in public. “I have very much remained the dark horse in the music arena,” he says.A dark horse, that happens to be a powerful and proven musical steed. Sincetaking up songwriting as a university student in the 1950s, Bob has amassedover 150 compositions; mostly big band-era jazz tunes that have been well received on the international stage. His song, “No Small Talk Please” wasrecorded by Universal Music artist Laura Fygi on her CD, “Change.” The song is actually Bob’s first composition, and has also been recorded by Andy Williams, who performed it on NBC’s Steve Allen Tonight Show in New York in 1954.Bob has also co-written songs with high-caliber musical heavyweights like Academy Award winning British composer Leslie Bricusse, a famous songwriter of West End and Broadway musicals; and recorded with French jazzartists, The Marc Peillon Trio. Most recently, Bob is working with Emmy Awardwinning pianist, conductor and arranger, Lee Musiker.Bob and Lee have arranged and recorded a number of Bob’s original songs together. This time, however, it’s Bob taking the limelight as songwriter and singer. No longer is he working behind the scenes as the writing talent; he is the star of the show, along with some other well-known performers who share singing duties.Musically, Bob leans toward jazz ballads, while lyrically, his songs reflect aspirit of romanticism, love and life. Drawing from his life experiences, he hasrefined his craft to produce a wealth of musical gems.BiographyBob has always managed to make time to play, especially during his university days in New York amidst the height of the Korean War. Bob entertained at venues like The Sea Cliff Yacht Club in Long Island, The Peachtree Lounge on the upper East Side and the U.S.O. Club in mid-Manhattan. “I loved it and had the time of my life!” he says.Bob has forged friendships with musical superstars such as Andy Williams, Hoagy Carmichael, Eddie Fisher, Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews, Shirley Bassey, Anita Kerr and more. He hopes to shine a light in the musical realm just like they have. Time will tell how brightly the spotlight glows on Bob Wagner during his exciting songwriting career.Releasing a CD with his name on it is interesting territory for Bob, whoserare live appearances over the years have mostly been in clubs and cocktaillounges, when he had the time. “I went through long periods of not writingat all while I was engrossed in international business. I lived a seesaw-likelove affair with my musical aspirations which more often than not had totake a back seat to my ‘bread and butter’ existence and survival.”Testimonials“Bob Wagner is a very talented songwriter.Be they ballads or swing tunes, it bringsback memories of writers who composedfor the singers of the great era of love,romance and swing. Bob is challengingthe new breed of male vocalists, has aunique voice that soothes, and giveshis words a lot of feeling. I enjoy hisoriginality and approach to music. Weneed more like him if music is to survive.”Lee MajorVeteran Jazz BroadcasterCJNU FM Nostalgia RadioHost/Producer“I have truly enjoyed working with Bob Wagner, who is not only very charming, but also a great creative mind! His composition, “No Small Talk Please,” was my favourite song on the album, Change.”Laura Fygi - Universal Music recording artist“Lovely tunes reminiscent of the golden era of songs and songwriters. A mostcharming and gracious cat.”Lee Musiker - Emmy Award winning pianist, conductor and arranger“During the 35 years of our friendship, Bob Wagner has never been far fromeither a piano or a romantic new melody. He has the knack of creating thewistful and nostalgic music that brings to mind the great songwriters and thegreat standards from that golden era of popular music between the wars – when the tune was more important than the beat. It is a torch well worth carrying and I have had the pleasure and the privilege of adding a dozen or more lyrics to some of his lovelier themes. There will always be a warm welcome among “those who knew” in the music business for the memorable music of Bob Wagner.”Leslie Bricusse - British lyricist, composer and writer/co-writer ofmusicals, including Victor/Victoria, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factoryand Stop the World – I Want to Get Off“A fine marriage of lyrics and melody. Just when I thought there was a realdearth of superior original songs for the Great American Songbook, alongcomes Bob Wagner with a most refreshing sound for us to embrace. Someof his lyrics are very poetic…the arrangements are all very hip and appealto a wide demographic. Many listeners seemto be craving for a more innocent time,a nostalgic place where the Sinatras,Clooneys, Tormes and Fitzgeralds ruled,and Bob Wagner fits that need very nicely.My fears that the best songs have beenwritten may be finally over.”Ray Alexander - founder of the WinnipegJazz Festival and host of FascinatingRhythm, CJUM 101.5 FM, Winnipeg,Canada