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Rob Mullins has built his musical reputation in the music world with a solid string of releases in the contemporary jazz field over the past 25 years. His rise to international acclaim as a composer and performer began with his "Soulscape" project, which earned him a Grammy Nomination for composition. Since that time, Rob has gone on to record 20 CD's of his music, three of which went Billboard Top Ten. Starting out on drums at age 11, Rob became a touring professional with a California Big Band by age 12, doing his 6th grade homework on a tour bus. A car crash at 14 (he was a pedestrian) forced a musical switch to the piano. During this time Rob also mastered the saxophone, bass, percussion, and guitar. At 16, Rob began composing, arranging, and formed his first band.
After attending the University of Northern Colorado on a percussion scholarship, Rob studied theory and composition from George Russell in New York on a National Endowment for the Arts Grant. The release of his "Soulscape" project brought him back to California where he is now an in demand composer, arranger, producer and session musician.
As a live performer, Rob’s credits read like a who’s who of the Hollywood jazz and pop scene. He has performed with Hubert Laws, Ronnie Laws, Bruce Willis, Brandy, Hoyt Axton, The Crusaders, Dianne Reeves, Dianne Schuur, Dave Grusin, Edgar Winter, Eddie Money, Billy Preston, Ricky Lawson, Harvey Mason, Eric Marienthal, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Brian Bromberg, Frank Gambale, The Denver Symphony, Bunny Brunel, Greg Vail, Jimmy Roberts, The China Club All Stars, Patrick Swayze, James Woods, James Moody, Spike Robinson, Ollie Woodson, Paul Jackson Jr., The Meeting, Dwight Sills, Alphonso Johnson, Ndugu Chancler, Jon Gibson, Steve Ferrone, and others. Some of the venues Rob has appeared in include the Blue Note Clubs around the world, Planethollywood locations around the world, the NAMM Show, Ronnie Scott’s, Brad Pitt/Jennifer Anniston Wedding, The House of Blues, Anaheim Convention Center, Playboy Jazz Festival, Hanoi Opera House, Colorado University, The World Trade Center, Village Vanguard, Jazz Bakery, Manchester Craftsmen Guild, Humphrey’s, Lodi Arts Commission, Sculler’s, Disneyland, and BB King’s Blues Club in Universal City.
As a composer, Rob has penned over 400 songs-including top ten radio hits for Eric Marienthal, Ronnie Laws, and Wilton Felder. His production of “Tell It Like It Is†for Bobby Caldwell went to #17 on the Pop Charts and he has received a Grammy Nomination for Jazz Composition. As a studio keyboardist and midi programmer, Rob’s work can be heard on television each week on “The Proud Family†(Disney), “Soulfood†(Showtime) “Moesha†(UPN), “King of Queens†(CBS), Sister Sister†(WB), “Cousin Skeeter†(Nickelodeon), and “The Parkers†(UPN). Music from his large catalog of published songs can be heard on General Hospital, The Emmys, CBS News This Morning, NFL Sports, Extra! The Entertainment Magazine, E! True Hollywood Story, and Talk Soup.
As an event host, Rob has hosted the annual Jazz Concert for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for which he received a Congressional Award for Public Service. As a Radio Personality, Rob appeared for two years on Japanese radio broadcasts for FM Tokyo as the Hollywood Reporter.
As an educator, Rob runs a successful privatelessons program focused on taking students into the music business as professionals and has successfully taken his curriculum abroad to Russia and Europe. His books and compositions for students are available through Hal Leonard Publishing and Rob Mullins Publishing.
"i've always known that teaching would be an important part of my life. I had other students coming to me in school asking me how to play better, improvise, or help them with chord structures. Luckily, I was a product of the Denver Public Schools where my director helped me grow musically and I was able to get international exposure while in high school" Rob said. "Now in 2012 I have taught more than 20,000 hours of individual lessons on piano technique, composing, technology, and studio recording. Skype provides me a way to reach students all over the world now, which is exciting" he added.
"When Hubert Laws released 'The Rite Of Spring' (CTI Records 1971) I was so enthralled with what was going on in the music that I made it a goal to one day work with Hubert. My dream came true when I was composing for his brother Ronnie and Hubert asked me to join his band in the 90's. I now have the pleasure of performing all the symphony orchestra parts live while playing Fender Rhodes with the Hubert Laws Group. I know of no other artist that has successfully combined classical music and jazz improvisation at such a high level as Hubert Laws" Rob said.
I'm happy to see so many of my fans posting my music to Youtube as it a great way to widen the reach of what I'm doing with my music as well as show the world where I've come from. In 2012 my goal is to tour more and expose more people to the wide variety and settings where it it possible to feature the acoustic piano" Rob added.
As an industry presence, Rob is a voting member of the National Academy Of the Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Awards) and Rob continues to write educational material, record artist CD's, arrange for ensembles and large groups, as well as teach.