Bio
Download PDFCONTACT INFO:
City Sketches, Inc. - 914 548-9829 - info@citysketches.com
BOOKINGS
Sanborn McGraw
Nordman Sports and Entertainment
412-999-2116
LABEL:
New Disc info:
Appears on CITY SKETCHES, INC. RECORDS
Distributed by BFE, a Subdivision of Sony Red
For product of previous material, visit
www.bobbadwin.com for more information
2016 - Brazil Chill II/State of Mind
2014 - MelloWonder / Songs in the Key of Stevie
2013 - Twenty
2012 - Betcha By Golly Wow
2011 - NewUrbanJazz.com2 / Re-Viibe
2010 - Never Can Say Goodbye - A Tribute to Michael Jackson
2009 - Lookin' Back
+ 16 other discs.
Artist site: www.bobbaldwin.com
SHORT BIO - by A. Scott Galloway
(To see extended bio, scroll down)
Bob Baldwin
Biography 2015
Across a career for which a two decade milestone was achieved in 2013 with his twentieth CD Twenty, Bob Baldwin has proven to be one of the most ubiquitous and ingenious chameleons of Contemporary Jazz - both in his own projects and those he has endeavored upon for others. Recently, he has twice honored the canons of giants: Never Can Say Goodbye: A Tribute to Michael Jackson (2010) and Betcha By Golly Wow: The Songs of Thom Bell (2012).
For 2015, Baldwin turns to the sprawling catalog of Stevie Wonder one of his finest projects ever: MelloWonder: Songs in the Key of Stevie an unprecedented one-from-the-heart that has taken him two years to lovingly assemble.
MelloWonder is 14 songs -12 covers and two originals primarily featuring Baldwin on a battery of ivories, keyboards and synthesizers along with special guests that include saxophonists Ryan Kilgore (currently a member of Stevies Wonderlove band) and Najee, and flautist Regan Whiteside. Highlights include Creepin, Lately, Loves Light in Flight, You and I and Rocket Love.
In addition to his work as a musician, Bob Baldwin hosts a nationally syndicated weekly radio show ('The NewUrbanJazz Lounge' broadcast across the African American Public Radio Service and the Internet) and author of the music biz
E-book You Better Ask Somebody (Staying On Top of Your Career in the Friggin Music Business) (2011).
Bob Baldwin [born Robert Garfield Baldwin, Jr. in Mt. Vernon, New York] is a jazz artist, composer, keyboardist, producer, arranger, radio host and author.
His father, Robert Garfield Baldwin Sr. who recorded one solo LP under his leadership, played piano with bassists Keter Betts and Art Davis. Bobs cousin is renowned pianist Larry Willis so he clearly stems from musical excellence.
Bob began being taught piano by his father at age 4. His musical influences include Herbie Hancock, Patrice Rushen, Chick Corea, Earth Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, Stevie Wonder and the late, greats Joe Sample, Miles Davis and George Duke. In 1986, he formed The Bob Baldwin/Al Orlo Project in New Rochelle, NY, performing at the legendary club the Bottom Line in New York City, opening up for Tom Browne of Funkin for Jamaica fame, and this led to his first production effort with trumpeter Tom Browne on a gospel-jazz offering entitled No Longer I.
In addition to plum sideman work complimenting the likes of singers Phil Perry and Will Downing, and the late, legendary instrumentalists Grover Washington, Jr. and Noel Pointer, The Dream Featuring Bob Baldwin released a concept project in 1988, prophetically titled I've Got a Long Way to Go on Malaco Jazz, and that led to Bob meeting his heroes Roberta Flack and Herbie Hancock at a Sony Innovators ceremony in Beverly Hills. Bob was selected by the aforementioned Flack from over 300 applicants and that led to an eventual signing by then President Sylvia Rhone to the Atlantic Jazz label. He released Rejoice (1990) and Reflections of Love (1992) featuring Lenny White, Will Downing, Marion Meadows, and James Robinson, among others. A third album for Atlantic Jazz, State of Mind was recorded in 1994 but never released due to the shuttering of the label. I remember that day like it was yesterday, sitting in the office talking to the suits on Dec 1, 1992, watching the Christmas tree outside the Atlantic office window, being lifted up at the Rockefeller Center in New York, getting the bad news about the label. Thats when I really started my track about recording independently.
By the time of Bobs 20th release, Twenty, fans witnessed him pay homage to the legends while staying a step ahead of whatever was hot-n-happening in the era. A choice selection of those 20+ highlights is as follows:
2000s bobbaldwin.com was his first independent release on City Sketches Records through the notorious Orpheus Records (Charles Huggins) featuring Gerald Albright, Marion Meadows and Armstead Christian.
2002s dual releases Standing Tall and The American Spirit on Narada and Shanachie Records were cathartic and ultimately triumphant artistic reactions to the tragic events surrounding the World Trade Center on 9/11 2001, where he performed there just two months prior.
2004s Brazil Chill was inspired by six weeks spent in Rio de Janiero and Ipanema, and featured Ivan Conti and Alex Malheiros of the acclaimed trio Azymuth, Armando Marcal, Caf Da Silva, Andriano Giffoni, Leo Gandelman, Toquarto Mariano, and pianist Marcos Ariel (who played chorinho flute).
2005 delivered an extra shot of his Brazil experience with All in a Days Work.
2007 brought the release of his DVD Live from Croton on the Hudson, NY, an outdoor festival that drew over 6,000 people overlooking the beautiful Hudson River.
2008s NewUrbanJazz.com fused Jazz and Funk with vocals, and featured Jocelyn Brown, Frank McComb, Phil Perry and Freddie Jackson. A 2011 follow-up
2011s NewUrbanJazz.com 2 / Re-Vibe featured Glenn Jones and Porter Carroll, Jr.
2009s Lookin' Back reflected on his career back to his first recordings going back to 1988.
Baldwin also released the gospel-jazz missive Never Out of Season and the holiday offering The Gift of Christmas.
Beyond his sprawling catalog of recordings, Bob Baldwin has used music to support social causes and to give back to the community.
His internet-only release City Sketches - a disc privately released commemorating the 1996 Olympics - is a musical portrait of the city of Atlanta celebrating the citys unique history. Violinist Regina Carter so loved "Downtown Underground" that she in turn recorded it on her CD, Something for Grace. Baldwin performed for the athletes at Atlanta's Olympic Games and shared the stage with Roy Ayers and Chuck Loeb at the Club Benson and Hedges Music Festival. Then in 2000, he travelled to South Africa with Marion Meadows for a historical concert.
Baldwin was the Curator of the NewUrbanJazz @ the Arts Exchange in White Plains, NY. Collaborating with ArtsWestchester and the White Plains Youth Bureau, Baldwin presented a workshop that would prepare young people for a career in music. In 2010, his Jazz for Haiti program raised over $60,000.00 for the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey. And in 2013 he produced the benefit concert "Music for Dave" to assist Latin Jazz legend and stroke victim, flautist Dave Valentin, with funding for his ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. He reached out to Larry Rosen, the original GRP Records owner, who signed Valentin to his first deal, who contributed to the event.
Wedding his many talents to a fierce streak of conscious independence, Bob Baldwin sees himself as more than just an artist but a human being in control of his destiny and with a legacy of artistic benevolence to pass on.
City Sketches, Inc. - 914 548-9829 - info@citysketches.com
BOOKINGS
Sanborn McGraw
Nordman Sports and Entertainment
412-999-2116
LABEL:
New Disc info:
Appears on CITY SKETCHES, INC. RECORDS
Distributed by BFE, a Subdivision of Sony Red
For product of previous material, visit
www.bobbadwin.com for more information
2016 - Brazil Chill II/State of Mind
2014 - MelloWonder / Songs in the Key of Stevie
2013 - Twenty
2012 - Betcha By Golly Wow
2011 - NewUrbanJazz.com2 / Re-Viibe
2010 - Never Can Say Goodbye - A Tribute to Michael Jackson
2009 - Lookin' Back
+ 16 other discs.
Artist site: www.bobbaldwin.com
SHORT BIO - by A. Scott Galloway
(To see extended bio, scroll down)
Bob Baldwin
Biography 2015
Across a career for which a two decade milestone was achieved in 2013 with his twentieth CD Twenty, Bob Baldwin has proven to be one of the most ubiquitous and ingenious chameleons of Contemporary Jazz - both in his own projects and those he has endeavored upon for others. Recently, he has twice honored the canons of giants: Never Can Say Goodbye: A Tribute to Michael Jackson (2010) and Betcha By Golly Wow: The Songs of Thom Bell (2012).
For 2015, Baldwin turns to the sprawling catalog of Stevie Wonder one of his finest projects ever: MelloWonder: Songs in the Key of Stevie an unprecedented one-from-the-heart that has taken him two years to lovingly assemble.
MelloWonder is 14 songs -12 covers and two originals primarily featuring Baldwin on a battery of ivories, keyboards and synthesizers along with special guests that include saxophonists Ryan Kilgore (currently a member of Stevies Wonderlove band) and Najee, and flautist Regan Whiteside. Highlights include Creepin, Lately, Loves Light in Flight, You and I and Rocket Love.
In addition to his work as a musician, Bob Baldwin hosts a nationally syndicated weekly radio show ('The NewUrbanJazz Lounge' broadcast across the African American Public Radio Service and the Internet) and author of the music biz
E-book You Better Ask Somebody (Staying On Top of Your Career in the Friggin Music Business) (2011).
Bob Baldwin [born Robert Garfield Baldwin, Jr. in Mt. Vernon, New York] is a jazz artist, composer, keyboardist, producer, arranger, radio host and author.
His father, Robert Garfield Baldwin Sr. who recorded one solo LP under his leadership, played piano with bassists Keter Betts and Art Davis. Bobs cousin is renowned pianist Larry Willis so he clearly stems from musical excellence.
Bob began being taught piano by his father at age 4. His musical influences include Herbie Hancock, Patrice Rushen, Chick Corea, Earth Wind & Fire, Ramsey Lewis, Stevie Wonder and the late, greats Joe Sample, Miles Davis and George Duke. In 1986, he formed The Bob Baldwin/Al Orlo Project in New Rochelle, NY, performing at the legendary club the Bottom Line in New York City, opening up for Tom Browne of Funkin for Jamaica fame, and this led to his first production effort with trumpeter Tom Browne on a gospel-jazz offering entitled No Longer I.
In addition to plum sideman work complimenting the likes of singers Phil Perry and Will Downing, and the late, legendary instrumentalists Grover Washington, Jr. and Noel Pointer, The Dream Featuring Bob Baldwin released a concept project in 1988, prophetically titled I've Got a Long Way to Go on Malaco Jazz, and that led to Bob meeting his heroes Roberta Flack and Herbie Hancock at a Sony Innovators ceremony in Beverly Hills. Bob was selected by the aforementioned Flack from over 300 applicants and that led to an eventual signing by then President Sylvia Rhone to the Atlantic Jazz label. He released Rejoice (1990) and Reflections of Love (1992) featuring Lenny White, Will Downing, Marion Meadows, and James Robinson, among others. A third album for Atlantic Jazz, State of Mind was recorded in 1994 but never released due to the shuttering of the label. I remember that day like it was yesterday, sitting in the office talking to the suits on Dec 1, 1992, watching the Christmas tree outside the Atlantic office window, being lifted up at the Rockefeller Center in New York, getting the bad news about the label. Thats when I really started my track about recording independently.
By the time of Bobs 20th release, Twenty, fans witnessed him pay homage to the legends while staying a step ahead of whatever was hot-n-happening in the era. A choice selection of those 20+ highlights is as follows:
2000s bobbaldwin.com was his first independent release on City Sketches Records through the notorious Orpheus Records (Charles Huggins) featuring Gerald Albright, Marion Meadows and Armstead Christian.
2002s dual releases Standing Tall and The American Spirit on Narada and Shanachie Records were cathartic and ultimately triumphant artistic reactions to the tragic events surrounding the World Trade Center on 9/11 2001, where he performed there just two months prior.
2004s Brazil Chill was inspired by six weeks spent in Rio de Janiero and Ipanema, and featured Ivan Conti and Alex Malheiros of the acclaimed trio Azymuth, Armando Marcal, Caf Da Silva, Andriano Giffoni, Leo Gandelman, Toquarto Mariano, and pianist Marcos Ariel (who played chorinho flute).
2005 delivered an extra shot of his Brazil experience with All in a Days Work.
2007 brought the release of his DVD Live from Croton on the Hudson, NY, an outdoor festival that drew over 6,000 people overlooking the beautiful Hudson River.
2008s NewUrbanJazz.com fused Jazz and Funk with vocals, and featured Jocelyn Brown, Frank McComb, Phil Perry and Freddie Jackson. A 2011 follow-up
2011s NewUrbanJazz.com 2 / Re-Vibe featured Glenn Jones and Porter Carroll, Jr.
2009s Lookin' Back reflected on his career back to his first recordings going back to 1988.
Baldwin also released the gospel-jazz missive Never Out of Season and the holiday offering The Gift of Christmas.
Beyond his sprawling catalog of recordings, Bob Baldwin has used music to support social causes and to give back to the community.
His internet-only release City Sketches - a disc privately released commemorating the 1996 Olympics - is a musical portrait of the city of Atlanta celebrating the citys unique history. Violinist Regina Carter so loved "Downtown Underground" that she in turn recorded it on her CD, Something for Grace. Baldwin performed for the athletes at Atlanta's Olympic Games and shared the stage with Roy Ayers and Chuck Loeb at the Club Benson and Hedges Music Festival. Then in 2000, he travelled to South Africa with Marion Meadows for a historical concert.
Baldwin was the Curator of the NewUrbanJazz @ the Arts Exchange in White Plains, NY. Collaborating with ArtsWestchester and the White Plains Youth Bureau, Baldwin presented a workshop that would prepare young people for a career in music. In 2010, his Jazz for Haiti program raised over $60,000.00 for the American Red Cross of Northern New Jersey. And in 2013 he produced the benefit concert "Music for Dave" to assist Latin Jazz legend and stroke victim, flautist Dave Valentin, with funding for his ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. He reached out to Larry Rosen, the original GRP Records owner, who signed Valentin to his first deal, who contributed to the event.
Wedding his many talents to a fierce streak of conscious independence, Bob Baldwin sees himself as more than just an artist but a human being in control of his destiny and with a legacy of artistic benevolence to pass on.
