The Nearness of You Rob Mullins

• 1 A Child is Born 03:25
• 2 Moonlight In Vermont 02:44
• 3 The Nearness of You 04:41
• 4 Sleigh Ride 03:15
• 5 Tango Delicioso 02:55
• 6 C Major Etude 03:09
• 7 The Girl from Ipanema 04:21
• 8 Stompin' at the Savoy 05:09
• 9 Willow Weep for Me 05:24
• 10 Witchcraft 03:39
• 11 Tangerine 04:56
• 12 Winter Wonderland 03:22
• 13 B Minor Ballad 03:44
• 14 Meditation 05:42
• 15 There is No Greater Love 04:52
• Total Runtime 01:01:18

Info zu The Nearness of You

Live in studio straight ahead jazz project featuring Great American Songbook tunes, Rob Mullins originals, and some holiday favorites.

"Most of the arrangements are uptempo, taking songs we have heard so many times before in fresh directions that propel them forward into the faster paced reality of modern times. This includes the rhythmic whimsical, improvisational spirit of “Moonlight in Vermont”; the simmering percussive fire of “Tango Delicioso”’ some lively skipping grooves and chordings on “The Girl From Ipanema” and a bright, freewheeling romp through “Stompin’ at the Savoy” whose charms include bursts of light via flurries from the piano’s upper register. The mid-tempo “Willow Weep For Me” is a slow simmering, then ultimately explosive blues number. It’s an excitement generating, stylistic callback to one of Mullins’ most memorable interpretations ever, “Georgia On My Mind.”

For good measure, Mullins follows the one decidedly darker shaded tune, “B Minor Ballad” with two brisk, playful numbers that close the set, the ironically titled “Meditation” (which will only have you meditating on toe tapping fun!) and a muscular declaration that “There is No Greater Love.” The Nearness of You succeeds on every level possible, making it a wonderful and essential addition to Mullin’s already expansive, multi-decade catalog." (Jonathan Widran, www.jwvibe.com)

Rob Mullins, piano Will Lyle, double bass Nikko Salvadore, drums

Rob Mullins
(jazz piano) has built his musical reputation around the world with a solid string of releases in the contemporary jazz field over the past twenty 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 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, 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. Top Radio Hits by Rob Mullins include "Making Love", "Schroeder Meets Basie", "Red Shoes", "Morning Rain", "Jazz Jazz", "Breakthrough", "Illusions", "Here In My Heart" (Eric Marienthal-artist), "Last Day Of Summer" (Eric Marienthal-artist). "Tonight's the Night" (Ronnie Laws-artist), Mr. Felder" (Wilton Felder-artist), "No Secrets", "One Night In Houston", "Memory Lane", "When Love Gets Deeper" (with Brenda Russell), "Dance For the New World", "Midnite Rendesvous" (with Gerald McCauley), "Hero" (with Brian Bromberg), "Nadine", "Samba", "Before You Go", "Human" (with Sarah Ingraham), "She's Tool Cool", "Newport Attitude", "Mirille", "Escher's Etude", "Prime Time", "Island Girls", and "Tears For America."

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 a music teacher, Rob began his teaching career at age 14 teaching music theory to older musicians in Denver, CO at Logan Music Center and has taught many star performers throughout his lifetime including Phillip Bailey (lead singer for Earth, Wind, and Fire), Neil Doughty (keyboardist for REO Speedwagon), Jim Ridl (pianist for jazz guitarist Pat Martino). Wayne Rodriguez (Producer of Natasha Bedingfield). Olivia Olson (actress and singer of "All I Want For Christmas Is You"-Working Title Films), Amber Stevens (star on GREEK-ABC Family Channel series), Sarah Ingraham (winner of 2007 LA Music Awards-Best New Age Artist), Jonathan Blake (winner 2008 OC Music Awards), Sophia Melon (Disney), and Mams Taylor (LA Rapper). Rob's committment to musical excellence is the cornerstone of his teaching programs which are held in his Los Angeles studios. He is known for his humorous class presentation at workshops which he has done in Moscow, Los Angeles, New York, Santa Fe, Fullerton, Salt Lake City and other cities. .

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 book author, Rob has written four books about jazz piano including "Jazz Piano Voicings-an essential guide for aspiring musicians" (Hal Leonard Pub. 2004), "Blues Step by Step", "Jazz Piano Etudes-The Major Keys", and "Let's Play Jazz" (all Rob Mullins Publishing) which are bestsellers online for students and teachers alike.

Current projects in 2009 include the promotion of his 17th album STORYTELLER which is garnering major attention at Amazon and on iTunes. STORYTELLER is new music created by Rob based on his past successful recordings and his desire to share his past years experience with listeners around the world. Rob's summer tour with the STORYTELLER band completed in July 2008 and he is now in the recording studio producing 3 new projects and writing his fifth book about piano playing. For more info please visit the planetmullins website.

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