Robert "Bobby" Tripp Harrison, Jr.

“drummer…go man go…Jam Sessions”

Senior quote by Robert Tripp Harrison, Jr., as published in the 1955 Latipac, the student yearbook of Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Bobby was born on May 22, 1937, to the late Robert T. Harrison and Nell Elizabeth Harrison. He graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1955, before going on to attend North Carolina State University. It was during these formative years that his lifelong love of music took root, setting him on the path to a long and storied career as a big band and jazz drummer. In his later years, Bobby spent his free time practicing on his drum set at home and composing music. He was especially proud of the song Hittin’ Twelve purchased and played by the Count Basie Orchestra.

Bobby’s senior quote was a perfect expression of his interests and life from a high school senior in 1955 to an 89 year old man living independently in Knightdale, NC. Even in 2026, it was still drummer…go man go… and Jam Sessions.

Bobby's talent behind the drum kit carried him across the world and into the company of many celebrated musicians over the decades. He was a founding member of the Continentals Dance Band, first organized in Raleigh, NC in 1957 as a sixteen piece orchestra. After playing with the Continentals, Bobby went on the road with Frank Sinatra, Jr. and then with the Si Zentner Orchestra and later with Juliet Prowse. His picture was featured the January, 1972 Time Magazine, playing with Frank Sinatra, Jr. and other members of Frank’s band in a piano bar onboard an airborne TWA Boeing 747.

In pursuit of his passion for music, he spent most of his life and career living in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he became a respected fixture of the big band and jazz scene, continuing to perform alongside numerous well-known artists. Bobby was also a member of the American Federation of Musicians and had his pilot’s license for many years. He had a passion for aviation and owned a Piper Cub that he enjoyed flying during his free time. He would occasionally fly to gigs in other states. He was married more than once and always held a fond place in his heart for his former companions.

In his later years, Bobby moved back to North Carolina to first care for his beloved mother, Nell until she passed in 2014 at the age of 103. Bobby briefly returned to Las Vegas with a mind to continue his music career, but soon came back to North Carolina and made his home in Knightdale, where he lived independently and had a great time driving around with his dog, practicing drums, composing music, playing with local bands, and socializing with both old and new friends. He was known and dearly loved by his neighbors, Tushanda Turner and especially her late husband, Micah "Mike" Turner, who considered Bobby a special close friend and an honorary father figure. Bobby was also devoted to his beloved dog, Beaux aka Bo, a constant and faithful companion in his daily life.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Robert T. Harrison (1989) and Nell Elizabeth Harrison (2014).

He is survived by his cousins Talitha Clemmons and Paula Hammac of Wilmington, NC, Katherine Blackman and Lee Bardin Blackman, Jr. of Elloree, SC, and his neighbor and loyal friend Tushanda Turner of Knightdale, NC, along with a host of friends, fellow musicians, band members, and admirers from his many years in the music community.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 10:00 am at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Wake County Animal Shelter at https://ipn4.paymentus.com/rotp/wcas

Arrangements are entrusted to Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh, NC.