Johnny Knorr

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At the age of nine, Johnny Knorr was on the stage playing violin solos made popular by Dave Rubinoff. During his junior high school days, he performed as a violin soloist on programs with Helen O'Connell. At Libbey High School, he was featured as a violin soloist with the orchestra and saxophone soloist with the band and he was awarded a scholarship to Ohio Northern University.

Johnny played with several traveling bands (Art Shaw, Jimmy Dorsey, Les Brown) and also stage shows, ice shows, circus and many different styles of bands. In 1960, he formed his own band and since then has gained national recognition while sharing the stage with Tex Beneke, Johnny Desmond, The Four Aces, Helen O'Connell, Bobby Vinton, Bob Crosby, Myron Floren, The Lawrence Welk Stars and a 32-piece orchestra with Bob Hope. The band members of the Johnny Knorr Orchestra have been with Johnny for an average of over 20 years, which assures the quality of the bands performance. Gay Hobbs is the featured vocalist with special music arrangements and has been with the band the past 15 years. Howard Hill, pianist, also provides vocals and will team up with Gay for vocal duets. Johnny's son Jerry, the assistant Director, attended Eastman School of Music and has provided several of the special music arrangements in the band's library.

Since 1979, Johnny has helped return big band music to the forefront. He has performed at Centennial Terrace to record crowds and is credited with saving this traditional "Dancing Under the Stars" from devastation. Repeat performances at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, Cedar Point and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island are just a few of the highlight performances of the Knorr band. In 1984, the Johnny Knorr Orchestra was recognized as one of the big bands of today in the souvenir edition of Foto-Play, published by the Big Bands Magazine in Hollywood, California. In 1996, the United States Postal Service honored the Johnny Knorr Orchestra by presenting them with an award to commemorate the Orchestra's contributions to big band music in conjunction with their American Music Stamp Series. On September 16, 1996, Johnny received a Proclamation from the Mayor of the City of Toledo, Ohio for 35 years of performing big band music for the enjoyment and entertainment of thousands who live in the tri-state area. March 9, 1997, Johnny received the People's Choice Award for the Performing Arts as the best instrumental group. On March 21, 1999, Johnny was inducted into the Lake Erie West Hall of Fame.

References: Toledo Blade Article [1] Johnny Knorr Website [2]