Rob Barron

Biography

Rob Barron is a mainstay of the London jazz and studio scene. Constantly in demand, he is a first call pianist highly regarded for his improvisational flair, imaginative arranging ability, innate musicality and a deft touch that reveal influences inspired by pianists Hank Jones, Cedar Walton, Barry Harris, Wynton Kelly and Sonny Clark. Graduating from Leeds College of Music with a BA Hons in Jazz Studies, Rob received the prestigious College Award for Outstanding Performance and went on to gain his Master’s Degree in Music Performance at Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Rob has performed live with some of the biggest names in American jazz such as Phil Woods, Grant Stewart and John Marshall. He has played residencies at Ronnie Scott’s with Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Marlena Shaw, toured with vocalist Stacey Kent and saxophonist Dave O’ Higgins and has appeared on over 30 album recordings to date. Featuring on many film soundtracks, most prominently Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby and also more recently The King Of Thieves and The Aftermath. Rob has also recorded with The BBC Big Band, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Philhamornia, The Ulster Orchestra, Jamie Cullum, Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Claire Martin, Liane Carroll and Rachel Portman.

Rob has led his own trio since 2012 with drummer Josh Morrison and bassist Jeremy Brown. Performing regularly at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club, they have performed opening sets for The Louis Hayes Quartet, The Kenny Barron Trio and Cecile McLorin Salvant. Rob’s first album as a leader, What’s in Store, was released in 2016 and was met with critical acclaim by respected jazz critic Peter Vacher of Jazzwise Magazine who placed it in the Top Ten Jazz Albums of The Year. His follow-up trio album From This Moment On was released in 2020 and received numerous five-star reviews in the press, including from BBC Music Magazine. - “This is classic piano trio jazz at it’s very best. *****”

Rob was also Musical Director for vocalist and actress Sheridan Smith’s UK tour in 2018 and regularly works as a musician in T.V. house bands under the direction of Steve Sidwell and Dave Arch. A regular visitor to New York, Rob has studied with pianists Barry Harris, Mike LeDonne, Michael Weiss, Michael Kanan and David Hazeltine - and keeps an on-going relationship with them from here in the UK.