From the Roanoke Times 3/8/05

For more than 30 years, Bob LeFever was an influential jazz leader in the Roanoke Valley, teaching music lessons and playing the clarinet and saxophone in area bands.

"He almost single-handedly kept alive the jazz and swing sound in this area," said Charlie Perkinson, who handles jazz programming for WVTF. "There is no one else who did it like he did."

LeFever died Friday. He was 61.

LeFever was born in Waynesboro in 1943. After receiving a master's degree in music from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., he came to Roanoke to take the position of band director at Patrick Henry High School. He left the Roanoke city school system in the late 1970s, but continued to follow his passion for music.

He sold insurance for 15 years while he played in bands big and small. LeFever still found time for teaching. He gave private lessons in the Roanoke and New River valleys. He also taught adjunct lessons at Hollins College and Roanoke College.

Three years ago, LeFever directed Radford University's jazz band. His wife, Linda, says he turned the program around. He gave up the position a year ago when he took over Dee Roberts' Orchestra, which he renamed the Bob LeFever Big Band.

"Bob's band is the only working professional big band in the area," said Perkinson.

Perkinson worked closely with LeFever since he came to Roanoke in the early 1970s. They spent a lot of time working and playing together in various bands, the Blue R idge Jazz Ensemble and on the radio. LeFever co-hosted a jazz show - "Swing Club" - on WVTF for about a year. It aired on Saturday evenings.

David Lipps worked with LeFever when the two of them taught music in the city's public schools. Lipps described LeFever as "a walking anthology" who could tell you anything you wanted to know about music.

"He remembered the notes lick for lick as a kid," said Lipps. "He is a true resource for studying jazz music."

Karen Branch, of Roanoke, sang off and on with LeFever for 25 years. Most recently, Branch sang with LeFever and the 15-piece orchestra he led in the band bearing his name.

Branch first met LeFever while she was a student at Patrick Henry. She sang in the choir and he played the clarinet.

"I can't say how much I'm going to miss him," said Branch. "It's [his death is] going to leave a big hole in Roanoke's music scene."

For the past 17 years, LeFever served as director of music at Calvary United Methodist Church in Salem.

According to LeFever's wife, there was no doubt that music was her husband's life and passion. She said he enjoyed classical music, traditional jazz and Dixieland jazz. He especially looked forward to attending the Coon-Sanders Dixieland festival each year in West Virginia.

LeFever's career in music produced a huge list of accomplishments. His wife said that backing up great singers, such as Julie London, and playing at the D-Day Memorial were near the top of the list.