Roberto Delprado Yulo "Bobby" Enriquez (May 20, 1943 – August 6, 1996) was a Filipino jazz pianist. He was called "the Wildman" due to his energetic playing style.
Life Born in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Enriquez's first love was the piano, and he was self-taught since he was four years old; however, his mother wanted him to concentrate on schoolwork. He began his professional career as a musician at the age of 14, sneaking out of his second floor bedroom window at night to play gigs. When his mother discovered what he was doing, she shut down the piano and told him to concentrate on homework.
He soon ran away from home and went to Manila. In Manila, he joined jazz groups, and from there, he played in Taipei and Hong Kong where he met Mel Tormé, Lionel Hampton, Tito Puente, and Chico Hamilton. He got a job at the Golden Dragon Lounge in Honolulu, Hawaii. There, he became music director for Don Ho. From 1976 to 1977, he performed with Amapola Cabase in San Francisco, California. This was followed by appearances at the Wagon Wheel and Harrah's Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
From 1980 to 1981, he was a sideman for Richie Cole on tour. During the next four years, he made several albums for GNP Crescendo.
Enriquez became a born-again Christian in 1993 and spoke of how God had changed his life. He played jazzy hymns at his church in Bayonne, New Jersey.
He died on August 6, 1996, aged 53, in Stayton, Oregon, due to a pulmonary embolism.
Discography
As leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1981The Wild ManGNP Crescendowith Abraham Laboriel (bass guitar), Alex Acuña (drums), Poncho Sanchez (conga), Chuck Domanico (bass), Harvey Mason (drums)1981The Wild Man Meets the MadmanGNP Crescendowith Richie Cole 1982Live! in TokyoGNP Crescendowith (bass), (drums)1982Bobby Enriquez Plays Bossa NovaGNP Crescendowith Rufus Reid (bass), Billy Higgins (drums)1982EspañaGNP Crescendowith orchestra1983Live at Concerts by the SeaGNP Crescendowith Richard Reid (bass), Alex Acuña (drums)1984Live at Concerts by the Sea, Vol. IIGNP Crescendowith Richard Reid (bass), Alex Acuña (drums)1985NativePortrait1987Wild PianoPortraitwith Eddie Gomez (bass), Al Foster (drums)1990The Wildman ReturnsEvidencewith Ray Brown (bass), Al Foster (drums)1993In The CityPortrait
As sideman With Maria Amapola Cabase Sophisticated Lady (1984)
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