Bob Baldwin (musician)
Bob Baldwin | |
|---|---|
Bob Baldwin at Ponce City Market, Atlanta, GA | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Robert G. Baldwin, Jr. December 9, 1960 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, urban, instrumental gospel |
| Occupations | Musician, Arranger, Producer, Radio Host, Inventor |
| Instruments | Piano, Keyboards, Keyboard programming |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Labels | Label and distribution deals include Atlantic, 215, Shanachie, Malaco, CSI, Narada, Nu Groove, Peak, Trippin' N' Rhythm, Orpheus, A440, Distribution 13, BFE, City Sketches Records, The Orchard/Sony Music |
| Website | www |
Bob (Robert) Baldwin (born December 9, 1960) is an American, New York–born contemporary jazz pianist, music composer, music producer, author, inventor, radio host, and creator of the NewUrbanJazz Lounge and City Sketches Inc. His views on owning his own recorded masters (as an Independent Artist) have been referred to as ‘the Ray Charles of contemporary jazz and soul music’ by his peers. As of January 1, 2023, he owns all but 7 of his 48+ studio projects. His music is distributed by Sony Music.
Baldwin has completed 11 albums in January, 2026, subtitled the Urban Jazz Music Series, dedicated to his vast traveling experiences as a touring artist. Cities he dedicates are Philadelphia, New Orleans, Atlanta, as well as his hometown New York City.
His album "The Stay At Home Series, Vol. 1" was selected in 2022 as the best contemporary jazz album by the inaugural Jazz Music Awards program. From 2018–present, he has charted on 8 Billboard Smooth Jazz Top-10 hit records as either producer/arranger or composer for Flutist Ragan Whiteside (Randis Records). He's also on the 'notable' people' list for the city of Mt. Vernon, NY, along with Denzel Washington, Rudy Hackett, The McCray Brothers, Floyd Patterson, Nina Simone, Art Carney, Al B. Sure!, Dick Clark, among others.
Baldwin learned music from his late father (Robert Baldwin, Sr.) when he was six and began his recording career in 1983. His debut album, A Long Way to Go, was released in 1988, with his latest (and 33rd) release entitled The Stay-At-Home Series. All but seven discs in his solo recording catalog are owned by his label, City Sketches, Inc. Baldwin cites his father as his first, and biggest, musical influence and mentions that he was found to have perfect pitch around the age of six, something discovered by his father.
He has released more musical full-album recordings as a lead solo artist than any other Mt. Vernon, NY-native or Westchester-born musician, numbering over 37 recordings from 1988 to 2024. He's still actively recording.
Baldwin has earned five SESAC Music Awards for his 2002–2003 airplay of "The Way She Looked at Me", his 2008 airplay on NewUrbanJazz.com, his 2010 album, Never Can Say Goodbye: A Tribute to Michael Jackson, in 2011 for NewUrbanJazz.com2/Re-Vibe, and his 2013 album Twenty. His 2015 release, MelloWonder: Songs in the Key of Stevie, which honors Stevie Wonder, debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Overall Jazz Chart.
He has also written and/or arranged for Regina Carter, The Four Tops, Grover Washington, Jr., Paul Brown, Richard Elliot, Marion Meadows, Ragan Whiteside, Tom Browne, Bob James, Will Downing, Freddie Jackson, Rhonda Smith, Dee Brown, Will Downing, James "Crab" Robinson, Paul Brown, Joey Sommerville, Vaneese Thomas, Tiffany Bynoe, Howard Hewitt, Whistle, Michael Urbaniak, the Lisa ("Left-Eye") Lopez'-produced girl group Blacque, Steve Oliver, Mel Holder, Michael Anthony, Gospel Pianist Kevin Wade, Dee Brown, Dee Lucas, Canadian trumpeter Gabriel Mark Hasselbach and Pieces of a Dream.