Home » Jazz Musicians » Rob Mullins

Rob Mullins

Rob Mullins has built his musical reputation in the Hollywood world with a solid string of releases in the contemporary jazz field over the past 30 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 37 CD's of his music (42 albums total), three of which went Billboard Top Ten. His latest releases include "Wise Man and the Ballerina" in 2023, "This Way Up!" released in August 2021 and "The Nearness of You" released in Nov 2018. In May of 2021, Rob was was selected by Hubert Laws to perform a Tribute to Chick Corea which was sponsored by Live with Carnegie Hall. The video is on Youtube. Rob has been the keyboardist and pianist for Hubert Laws for many years and is featured on many of Hubert's albums.

The Planetmullins Podcast has now aired for FIVE seasons totaling 55 episodes and can be found on Youtube as well as Apple Podcasts, Audible, Spotify, Amazon, and other services.

BIO: 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 Hollywood jazz, rock 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 ,the Cabana Boys, 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 an educator, Rob runs a successful privatelessons program focused on taking students into the music business as professionals and has successfully taken his curriculum abroad to Russia and Europe. His books and compositions for students are available through Hal Leonard Publishing and Rob Mullins Publishing. As an industry presence, Rob is a voting member of the National Academy Of the Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Awards)

Rob Mullins, Jesse Ogle Of Nu Bass Theory, and Sarah Mount

by Steven Roby
August 4, 2023

This episode of Backstage Jazz features interviews with musicians Rob Mullins, Jesse Ogle, Sarah Mount along with Henry Rollins talking about the importance of John Coltrane. On Backstage Jazz, you'll hear a blend of contemporary and classic jazz and a touch of soul, funk, and world music, all selected by music journalist and host Steven Roby.Playlist Nina Simone “Here Comes The Sun" from Here Comes the Sun (RCA Victor) 01:00 Bill Withers “Lovely Day" from Menagerie (Columbia) 04:20 ...

277

Album Review

Rob Mullins: Standards & More

Read "Standards & More" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone

by Michael P. Gladstone
October 6, 2006

Listening to this album for the first time, I shouldn't have been surprised at Rob Mullins' straight-ahead jazz chops. To the best of my knowledge, this is the pianist/composer's first mainstream jazz album, but he has been quite prolific, recording sixteen albums since 1988. Mullins attended University of Northern Colorado, studied piano with George Russell in New York, and established his own label (RME). In addition to his own recordings as a smooth jazz bandleader, Mullins also recorded for Nova ...

173

Event

Rob Mullins/Joe Anderies Clinic and Concert on March 28th at Pierre's Fine Pianos (LA)

Source: Michael Ricci
March 4, 2010

Noted Colorado jazz educator Joe Anderies will be in Los Angeles for a special collaboration with longtime colleague Rob Mullins on Sunday, March 28th at the performance auditorium of Pierre's Fine Pianos. Joe has been on the forefront of the jazz and music education scene for over 20 years having developed his mentoring concepts and “Music Beyond Borders Project" in the elementary schools where he teaches band and orchestra. His concepts have been extended to older students in many jazz ...
read more

166

Performance / Tour

Rob Mullins Trio to Perform at Riordan Fellows Gala Fundraising Event

Source: All About Jazz
April 14, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Rob Mullins Trio will perform Saturday April 18 2009 from 7-11p.m. at the Riordan Fellows Gala Fundraising Event. The event will be held at the Beverly Hills Country Club. “We are honored to have such a famous and accomplished entertainer as Rob Mullins for our event" says Hao Hu, Riordan Gala Event Co-manager. “We look forward to a successful event with many planned activities and Rob Mullins as the focal point for our entertainment" Hu added. ...
read more

209

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Rob Mullins

Source: Michael Ricci
January 10, 2009

238

Performance / Tour

Jazz Pianist Rob Mullins to Headline Denver Amphitheatre

Source: All About Jazz
October 14, 2008

Los Angeles CA --Jazz pianist, recording artist, and educator Rob Mullins will headline the Grand Opening of the new City Hall Event Center in Denver, CO on October 18, 2008. Mullins, a former Denver resident who released his first five albums in Colorado, will make his first appearance in Colorado in 25 years for Denver nightclub mogul Regas Christou.

“I am happy to be the club owner who first believed in Rob's extraordinary abilities and gave him a five night ...
read more

300

Performance / Tour

Rob Mullins June-July Performance Schedule

Source: All About Jazz
June 28, 2008

JUNE 28 The Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater Albuquerque, NM

JUNE 29 The Jazz Bakery Culver City, CA

JULY 04 Pasadena Jazz Institute - Paseo Colorado Pasadena, CA

JULY 20 Quail Botanical Gardens San Diego, CA

About Rob Mullins Rob Mullins has built his musical reputation in the world with a solid string of releases in the contemporary jazz field over the ...
read more

177

Event

New Mexico Jazz Workshop to Host Rob Mullins in Concert

Source: All About Jazz
June 11, 2008

WHAT: The New Mexico Jazz Workshop will host jazz great Rob Mullins in concert

WHEN: June 28th 2008 at 7 pm

WHERE: The Albuquerque Museum Amphitheater 2000 Mountain Road NW Albuquerque, NM 87104 (505) 255-9798

HOW: Cover: $12 Billed as a “Concert Under the Stars", this event will mark the first appearance of Rob Mullins in the region since 1989. “I think ...
read more

133

Education

Master Class Featuring la Studio Artist Rob Mullins

Source: All About Jazz
June 7, 2008

Presented by Warehouse 21 & New Mexico Jazz Workshop Date: June 26, 2008 Time: 4:30pm - 5:30pm Place: Warehouse 21 Location: 1614 Paseo de Peralta, SFNM 87501 (East of Site Santa Fe) Price: FREE and open to emerging musicians from teens to adults Mullins is a Yamaha Music Artist, Pianist, Keyboardist, Producer, Song Writer, Teacher, and Clinician with over 30 years experience. Rob's master ...
read more

157

Recording

Rob Mullins 17th CD Hits Amazon Store Today

Source: All About Jazz
May 14, 2008

17th Rob Mullins CD Debuts at Amazon today Rob Mullins Entertainment online at Planetmullins.com LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 14, 2008) -- Rob Mullins' 17th CD as a recording artist hits the Amazon MP3 store today marking the first original music CD by Rob in nine years. Titled “Storyteller", the new CD features ten original compositions and one reworking of a standard. “People have been asking me for years, why haven't you made another CD of original ...
read more

134

Event

Rob Mullins Entertainment and Private Lessons Programs

Source: All About Jazz
April 15, 2008

WHAT: 1st Annual Planetmullins Awards Ceremony and Concert WHERE: Pierre's Fine Pianos 11039 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 WHEN: April 27, 2008 3 p.m. Cover: $15 Adults $5 Students 310-572-7245

ROB MULLINS TO HOST CONCERT AND AWARD SHOW IN LOS ANGELES

Rob Mullins, recording artist, music educator, and author will host the first Annual Planetmullins Awards Ceremony and live band ...
read more

100

Performance / Tour

Bubba Jackson to Host Rob Mullins Storyteller CD Release Party

Source: All About Jazz
March 7, 2008

17th Rob Mullins Album Party in Pasadena Hosted by BUBBA JACKSON from 88.1 Workshops with band members added for during the day Saturday, March 8, 2008 Greetings! Yesterday I drove down to KJAZZ during the Brad Williams shift and did a drive by! Well, not the bad kind you read about in the Times, but the good kind...a hand off of three Storyteller CD's in shrink wrap to Bubba Jackson after his shift at ...
read more

“A classic acoustic trio set, Rob Mullins at his best.” – Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian "A gifted improvisor who can tiptoe or stomp" San Francisco Chronicle "We love your new album STORYTELLER" Lee Berk Berklee School of Music "Highly recommended" Rick Anderson ALL MUSIC GUIDE "One of the true unsung heroes of contemporary jazz" Jonathan Widran ALL MUSIC GUIDE "Breathtaking and tremendously moving, his compositions are a pleasure" Bernard Bauer Music Connection "Pianist Rob Mullins makes major statements in both jazz and a combination of Latinized-rock into a fusion that is all his own" Glenn Mitchell LA JAZZ SCENE "Rob Mullins is so far ahead of everybody else, it will be awhile before the rest of the world catches up, if they do." Bubba Jackson KJAZZ Radio FM 88.1 "Rob Mullin's STORYTELLER CD is one of the best musical compositions I've ever heard. His ability to keep evolving through his music is inspiring. This particular CD has a classical touch to it while Mullins remains true to his jazz roots. The classical infuence is especially evident in the piece, "Sleep Sweet". Still, every other song invokes the feeling of pure fascination! He blends the two musical genres together in such an extraordinary way that the listener is swept away into a world of beauty. Mullins is doing what he was surely born to do and that is to compose and play great music. I believe history will portray him as one of the most important musicians of our time!" Cheryl Hullin-Amazon.com "Rob Mullins is a pianist at the level of Keith Jarrett and I encourage you to implement his educational programs." Ghenady Meirson-Curtis University "Rob Mullins is the most prolific composer in JAZZ today." Ronnie Laws- saxophonist "What artistry!" Hubert Laws-flautist "Very few great teachers are great players, and very few great players are great teachers. Rob Mullins is a stellar example of a great player who is also a great teacher." Greg Woll-Fullerton College Director of Jazz Studies "I must say, the Rob Mullins Trio set was dazzling." Larry Jackstein- Snowbird Jazz Festival

Show less

Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

A dedicated instructor for 30 years, Rob Mullins runs a top music school in Los Angeles tied to the entertainment industry. Curriculums include jazz studies for piano, wind instruments, singers, and percussionists. Rob also teaches many technology students interested in studio production, songwriting, music for the internet, and music business students. Full information is available at www.planetmullins.com/lessons.htm. Interested musicians can send email to [email protected] for more information.