Born in Liège, Belgium, Jaspar learned to play piano and clarinet at a young age.

[2] In 1956, Jaspar was persuaded to try his luck in the United States, where his reputation in jazz circles had preceded him.

[1] He played and recorded with the quintet of J. J. Johnson, with Kenny Burrell, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Donald Byrd and many others.

[1] In 1961/1962, Jaspar returned to Europe for a year for a series of concerts and a number of recordings, and formed a successful quintet with Belgian guitarist René Thomas.

Bobby Jaspar died from a heart attack in New York City, on 28 February 1963 at age 37.