Bernie Ebbins, 88; Road Manager for Billy Eckstine and Count Basie

Bernie Ebbins, the former road manager for several leading jazz and pop music figures, including singers Billy Eckstine and Vic Damone and band leader Count Basie, has died. He was 88.

Ebbins died Dec. 27 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The cause of death was not reported.

During his more than 40 years in the entertainment industry, Ebbins also managed the syndication department at William Morris Agency and held a similar position at Paramount Studios. In those posts, he was largely responsible for shipping film prints around the world.

Ebbins, a native of Springfield, Mass., took a job with the U.S. Weather Bureau as a photographer after graduating from high school. He served in the Navy as a photographer during World War II.

After the war, he managed successful tours for Count Basie. In 1949, he added Eckstine to his list of clients.

In the mid-1950s, he worked for Damone, then a top headliner in Las Vegas.

Ebbins joined William Morris Agency in 1963 and went to Paramount in late 1974. He retired in the early 1990s.

Survivors include his brother, Milt Ebbins of Beverly Hills.

A memorial service is pending.

Donations in his name may be made to the Abbey of Regina Laudis, 273 Flanders Road, Bethlehem, CT 06751.