Bob Dorough (born December 12, 1923) is an American bebop and cool jazz pianist, composer and vocalese singer.He worked with Miles Davis and Blossom Dearie, and his adventurous style was an influence on Mose Allison, among other singers. He is perhaps best known as a voice and primary composer of many of the songs used in Schoolhouse Rock!, a series of educational animated shorts appearing on Saturday morning television in the 1970s and 1980s on ABC affiliates in the United States. Dorough composed, conducted and played much of the "Schoolhouse Rock!" music. He has released vocal jazz albums periodically over the last 50 years; his latest, Small Day Tomorrow, came out in 2006. He worked with Nellie McKay on her 2007 album, Obligatory Villagers as well as her 2009 release, Normal as Blueberry Pie - A Tribute to Doris Day.
4th cousin twice removed of Backstreet Boy Howie D. Their common ancestor is James L. Dorough 1736-1813.
2
He was concerned that the line "I get my thing in action" from his song "Verb" would run foul of network censors. It didn't.
3
When performing in jazz clubs, he will often be questioned by someone who recognizes his voice from the cartoons. Many times, he'll use that opportunity to perform a song he wrote for the "Schoolhouse Rock" series.
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Played back-up (keyboards) for Miles Davis.
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Composed and performed a number of songs for the ABC TV eductational project "Schoolhouse Rock". This is a series of short films shown at the end of cartoon shows designed to teach various subjects (multiplication tables, US history, science, grammar, US government functions) in the form of animated films with memorable music and lyrics. The series of films is still remembered (fondly) by those who saw them the first time, and have been re-issued on DVD for new generations to learn and enjoy.
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A CD collection "Schoolhouse Rock Rocks" featured cover versions of his compositions for the series. Artists include Moby, Better Than Ezra, Pavement, Man or Astro-man?, Skee-Lo, Biz Markie and Daniel Johnson.
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He is a jazz singer.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Man Who Knew Too Little
1997
writer: "Coming Home Baby" - as Robert Dorough
Get Shorty
1995
writer: "Comin' Home Baby"
Chasers
1994
performer: "RIGHT ON MY WAY HOME" / writer: "RIGHT ON MY WAY HOME"
Reality Bites
1994
writer: "Conjunction Junction" - as Robert Dorough
Mystery Science Theater 3000
1989
TV Series music - 1 episode
Parachute to Paradise
1972
TV Movie performer: "Parachute to Paradise"
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
1968
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Hollywood Palace
1968
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Merv Griffin Show
1968
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Upper Middle Bogan
2014-2016
TV Series writer - 11 episodes
House of Lies
2014
TV Series writer - 1 episode
What to Expect When You're Expecting
2012
writer: "Comin' Home Baby"
Formula 1: BBC Sport
2011
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Born to Be Wild
2011
Documentary short writer: "Comin' Home Baby"
Glee
TV Series lyrics - 1 episode, 2010 music - 1 episode, 2010
Secret Diary of a Call Girl
2010
TV Series writer - 1 episode
An Education
2009
writer: "Comin' Home Baby"
Schoolhouse Rock!
TV Series writer - 27 episodes, 1973 - 2009 performer - 23 episodes, 1973 - 2009 lyrics - 1 episode, 1974 music - 1 episode, 1974
Trying to Get Good: The Jazz Odyssey of Jack Sheldon
$5 Million
