Rob Reich featuring Ila Cantor, Ben Goldberg, Todd Sickafoose and Eric Garland
Biography Rob Reich featuring Ila Cantor, Ben Goldberg, Todd Sickafoose and Eric Garland
Rob Reich
is quintessentially what makes the San Francisco music scene a vibrant and vital mecca for independent music; he’s become one of its stalwart underground artists. His music defies genre, combining strong melodic ideas, rhythmic drive, and a spirit of irreverence and experimentation. He is best known for his work with Tin Hat, Gaucho, and Circus Bella.
"Rob's music is just like he is: guileless, thoughtful, playful and charming. His music wears a bowler hat and a pair of Chuck Taylors." - Carla Kihlstedt "A master of succinct revelation, of vaporous extremes that get right to the heart, of plainspoken abandon." - Ben Goldberg "Whatever context he's in, Reich transforms it into a creative hothouse where thousands of musical flowers bloom." -Andy Gilbert, East Bay Express
Rob Reich grew up in Long Island, New York, studying piano from age three. After graduating with a degree in Music Composition from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he discovered the accordion, now his primary instrument.
Reich’s music defies genre. Whether it’s composing art songs based on the poetry of E E Cummings with Tin Hat, writing circus music for Circus Bella, or composing jazz repertoire for accordion with the Rob Reich Trio, his music combines strong melodic ideas, rhythmic drive, and a spirit of irrevence and experimentation.
In 2013 he was commissioned to compose and produce a score for “The Stranger: Part 1”, a full length modern dance piece by David Herrera Performance Company. In 2011, he receieved a commission from Yerba Buena Gardens Festival to compose “Sidewalks and Alleys” for a seven piece chamber ensemble. His accompaniment skills have found him performing live soundtrack to silent films, including Buster Keaton’s “The Playhouse” and Dave Fleischer’s “Bimbo’s Initiation”.
He plays in the acclaimed jazz groups Gaucho, Nice Guy Trio, and Prez Kids, and has performed at venues including the Monterey Jazz Festival, Yoshi’s, SFJAZZ, Yerba Buena Gardens, Symphony Space, and Joe’s Pub.
