 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
At 18, Bob was already earning money as a pianist at local parties and clubs. He had played trumpet in high school and although he reached a level of accomplishment, excessive practice and a teaching conflict changed his embouchure and created a musical set back. During this difficulty, Bob turned to his first instrument, the piano. His early interest in jazz had already set him apart from his musical influences. In Edison NJ, hip jazz teachers were difficult to find. Bob's eclectic interest in jazz piano went untamed until, eventually, his early mentor, introduced him to William Patterson College. As a piano major at WPC, Bob learned classic jazz harmonies and rhythms. Later his early original ideas were combined with the classics to develop the sound that later became his signature style. He studied with Morris Nanton, Jack Winters and Eric Kloss. These associations grew into recording collaborations with Harry Leahy and Vinnie Cutro. During his time at WPC, he was asked to transcribe recordings by Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell for Consolidated Publishers' Jazz Masters Series. These original transcriptions are still available in catalogs and music stores. Upon graduating, Bob worked full time as a pianist playing everything from solo gigs, jazz combos, and big bands. He played at the Royal Festival Hall in London, as well as the Cancun Jazz Festival with tenor saxophonist Frank Vacari. In the spring and summer of 1987 he toured the US with Brian Torff, the former bassist with George Shearing. In 1989, he performed at Carnegie Hall with Michelle Hendricks. Bob also had the opportunity to work with Charlie Rouse, Eric Kloss, Jimmy Ponder, Vic Juris, Joe Carroll, Ted Curson, Lyle Atkinson, Nelson Riddle, Steve Gilmore, Bob Moses, Bernard Perdie, Bill Goodwin, Victor Jones, Jeannie Bryson, Steve LaSpina, Eliot Zigmund, Mike Richman, Chip Jackson, and saxophonist Bill Evans. Where Do You Go From Here?, is a compilation of over 20 years of listening, collaboration, experimentation and playing with these many inspiring musicians. A mixture of new arrangements of traditional bebop and jazz standards, and a few original compositions, this CD best describes his chosen style. Though, as the title suggests, Bob is constantly developing his approach to music and growing. He hopes your listening will inspire you to a new feeling in your jazz world. â—Š â—Š â—Š â—Š â—Š â—Š Musicians Pete Macdonald, drums, and Dave Richards, acoustic bass, accompany Bob on piano. This trio is currently working in the New York metropolitan area. Track List: 1. Yeah 2. Night Moods 3. The Dolphin 4. Straight Up and Down 5. Where Do You Go From Here? 6. Options 7. Trance 8. Trinkle, Tinkle 9. I See Your Face Before Me 10. All of You 11. Lazy Bird Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
|