 Born in Newark New Jersey, Robert has always, since early childhood, had a passion for music. He was first drawn to rhythm and the drums (and continues to play) and started to develop coordination by banging on coffee cans while listening to and playing along with those infectious Motown grooves! "Little did I know back then the genius and longevity of James Jamerson's bass playing on all those Motown hits...the signature driving force of that entire genre!" Afterward, he took trumpet lessons in school and learned to read music. "Reading music, the written page, is a very important skill to have as a musician as you can then learn how to learn" Inability to read music is much like being able to speak but not read, it's only half of the equation".
When he found his fathers old Harmony arch top in the closet, it changed his life. From that point on, he would be found practicing, practicing and practicing..."I still practice as much as I can...practicing guitar relaxes me and gets me in touch with the child still there..."
"When you find your passion, it's simple to flow in it... Though not necessarliy an easy thing to do, but still a simple one".
Basically, self taught, while attending KEAN UNIVERSITY, Robert learned the standard Classical repertoire of the Masters, SOR, CARCASSI, CARULLI and his favorites MAURO GIULIANI and FRANCISCO TARREGA sometimes referred to as "The father of Modern Guitar".
Classical guitar playing requires skills much different from jazz. They are sort of opposite in some respects. The notes played in Classical guitar are always predetermined as "dots on a page" while the notes in Jazz guitar improvisation are not predetermined...they occur in real time as they happen. These are two quite different things requiring two different mindsets and approaches. To learn and play classical guitar one must be a very good reader, have impeccable technique and intense concentration skills, to learn and play jazz guitar one must have an innate working knowledge of music theory, fingerboard mastery, sense of "being in the present moment" and deep creativity.
Click here for more general info on classical guitarists, repertoire and history of the instrument.
Becoming interested in jazz guitar and improvisation, Robert sought out and studied with Harry Leahy, a disciple of DENNIS SANDOLE, the great jazz master (taught Coltrane) from Philadelphia, PA and then hooked up with the great Tal Farlow.
TAL FARLOW
Hooking up with the late Bebop Jazz Guitar Icon, TAL FARLOW, a local New Jerseyan, was a lifechanging experience. After his death in July 1998 at 77, he left behind an unmatched legacy in jazz guitar history. In private lessons with Tal Farlow at his Seabright shore house, I became exposed, first hand, to the intricate and awesome aspects of Jazz guitar improvisation, theory and application from an original, primary & foundational source. "Tal, who taught himself how to play all of Charlie Christians solos, was a humble, easygoing guy, not intimidating...chord melodies, ideas and phrases would just naturally flow out of his large hands freely and unencumbered". He was a cornerstone in jazz history and will remain as truly one of the greatest players in jazz guitar! You can hear us in actual sessions playing together!... The Shadow of Your Smile and other changes ...click on the sound files and check it out .
Presently spending much time raising his family and running his teaching studio, Robert still finds time to continue to study and practice the instrument. "Practicing is a way of life for me... I just love it...it relaxes me.... living in New Jersey one needs to continue to find ways of relaxing and unwinding"!
Click on my contact link to e mail me with questions or comments about lessons or gigs.
Robert also teaches at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, NJ and
Summit Music Studio in Summit NJ. Summit Music Studio is owned and managed by one of the few Dennis Sandole Method certified instructors Steve Girardi... click for more info.
Harmonically & Melodically Yours...
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