SEEKING
Band to Join, Accordion, Acoustic Guitar, Background Singer, Bagpipes, Banjo, Bass Guitar, Cello, Clarinet, DJ, Dobro, Drums, Electronic Music, Fiddle, Flute, Harmonica, Harp, Keyboard, Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Other, Other Percussion, Piano, Rhythm Guitar, Saxophone, Steel guitar, Trombone, Trumpet, Ukulele, Upright bass, Violin, Vocalist, Vocalist - Alto, Vocalist - Baritone, Vocalist - Bass, Vocalist - Soprano, Vocalist - Tenor.ABOUT
Rob has performed from solo/duo up to nine-piece bands playing in many venues. He started his touring career playing keyboards with the Blues Brothers Revival Band which took him to Tasmania and New Zealand and also included every city and outback town in and across Australia. One of the highlights with the Blues Brothers was playing the main river stage at Brisbane World Expo ‘88. The following year Rob got a call from Keith Urban to play keyboards in his band and once again continued touring throughout Australia with Keith where he enjoyed performing at some great venues to fantastic crowds.
After this was a stint on Great Keppel Island which saw Rob as a liaison with some of Australia’s best known acts such as Michael Hutchence & INXS. On return to Brisbane Rob became musical director and piano player for Park Avenue (Bette Midler style cabaret show) as well as playing in Stevens’n Stephens (a renowned pub rock duo throughout Queensland). Rob continued his music success by teaming up with Jenny Balmer, a musical collaboration that took them into the recording scene, culminating in their original album “All That Matters’. With six of the tracks written, arranged, and produced by Rob. Extensive promoting of this album took them through Asia, Christmas Island, and Nuigini. The album was nominated and successful with a win for Top Country Album of the year and also reached the Top 6 nominations for Country Single of the year with ‘Going, Going, Gone’ at the Queensland Recording Association Awards 1998.
From 2000, Rob continued his musical journey with the John McSweeney Shows, being musical director for some of the biggest names in Australia’s entertainment industry such as: Jean Stafford, Judy Stone, Little Patti, Johnny Chester, Lee Conway, Chad Morgan; as well as international acts such as: Kata Hay, and Joni Harms. Rob and the John McSweeney band won Country Group of the year in 2005 in the Entertainment of the Year Awards for Clubs in South Queensland.
For fifteen years, Rob played as a duo with John McSweeney doing ‘Morning Melodies’ shows for retirement villages and the disabled. He continues to play these mornings with a variety of people including Dave Mitchell (Davo) and Dave Clayton.
Rob has also enjoyed many successful stints as a session player using his keyboard skills for some of the Countdown (Australia) acts such as: John Swan (Swannee), Brian Mannix (Uncanny X-Men), Scott Carne (Kids in the Kitchen), and The Chantoozies.
As well as the acts mentioned above, Rob also plays solo and as a session player for many local acts including: Dean Vegas, Cool Change, Swizzle and The Fabulous Boogie Boys/The Argonauts.
Rob has also been blessed to play piano/keyboards with international world music artists Deva Premal and Miten at their Ecstatic Chant Retreats in Lennox Head, Ballina and Mullumbimby and also at their concert at the Crystal Castle in Mullumbimby to over a thousand people.
In 2008 Rob released his own (very successful) cd of original material and mantras called ‘Simple Little Miracles’.
As well as solo/duo and band gigs at many clubs/restaurants/function centres, Rob also plays in a duo called ‘SpiritSong’ with his wife Angela Nancarrow. You can check out their website at www.spiritsongmantras.com and their facebook site at www.facebook.com/spiritsongmusic. Together they hold Music Meditations at yoga & meditation centres and have also played at the Brisbane Mind Body Spirit festival, Byron Spirit festival, the Psychic Fair (RNA Showgrounds) as well as many other festivals. Their long awaited cd ‘Mantra Immersion’ was released late 2015 to wonderful reviews.
Some friends of Rob’s (Leisa and Ketub) have released a wonderful book called 'The Way Of The Natural Therapist' in which they asked Rob to write a chapter about his life, what inspires him and how he came to do what he does.
To find out more and to purchase a copy, please go to: www.thewayofthenaturaltherapist.com
- Screen name:
- robert22997
- Member since:
- Sep 25 2016
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years playing music:
- 35
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Available to gig:
- 6-7 nights a week
Influences
Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Beatles, Deva Premal & Miten, Snatam Kaur, Krishna Das
Instrument experience:
- Piano:
- Expert
- Vocalist:
- Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Two keyboards (Technics KN 2000 & full 88 note Kawai piano keyboard) with keyboard stand/ Microphone and stand/ all leads/ music stand
