"Jazz at the Church" Spotlight: Rob Moore, Drums

"Rob Moore grew up in Phoenix, AZ and began his musical career at nine, on the clarinet. He soon convinced his dad to take him down to the local drum store for lessons and before long Rob was driving everyone in the house crazy (including his grandma who would pretend like she was having seizures on her bed in order to get Rob to refrain from making so much noise) by practicing his drums all day long.

"During high school Rob continued to develop his musicianship by playing drums in the high school jazz band, in the Phoenix Musicians Union sponsored all-city jazz band "Young Sounds" and in the Sedona Jazz on the Rocks youth band, where he had a chance to bump elbows with then unknown singer/ songwriter Michelle Branch as well as many of prominent jazz artists such as Chick Corea, Branford Marsalis, Chuck Mangione and Billy Mitchell. A man of many musical fronts, Rob was in the high school vocal ensemble, he played a leading role in Sondheims musical "Into the Woods", and took advantage of the Advanced Placement Music Theory course.

"It was easy to see that by the end of high school Rob was beginning to emerge as the musical force he's respected as today. When he chose to attend Arizona State Univeristy Rob was awarded the Jazz-Bird scholarship and chosen--as a Freshman--to play in the University's top Concert Jazz Band. This accomplishent earned him the opportunity to work with legends such as Doc Severinson and Gunther Schuller. While at ASU Rob also performed in various jazz combos, latin bands and percussion ensembles and studied with percussion Professor Dr. J.B. Smith and Jazz drummer Dom Moio.

"Throughout his college career, Rob continued to develop his musicianship playing countless performances throughout the Phoenix area, closely studying the notes of musical greats spanning all genres, and spending hours upon hours in 'the lonely box' (aka 'the wood shed' aka the practice room) practicing piano, marimba, snare drum and drumset. while in college Rob's CD player spent many a day spinning the sides of Radio Head, Bjork, D Angelo, Eliott Smith and The Roots.

"Currently Rob lives in Scottsdale and works all around the Phoenix area with various musical ensembles (to find out where Rob is playing next just check out the schedule). Rob is well-known for putting the sound of the group above the sound of the drums and as one of the world's most musical drummers, audience members of a Rob Moore concert have been heard uttering words to themselves such as, 'graceful, sensitive, tasteful.' "

(The above is from Rob's internet site, as linked below)

ROB was with us for the October Inner Journeys Trio concert, and rejoined us for the Christmas Eve Jazz Mass, also.

Rob's official internet site is HERE, and his MySpace site is HERE.