What About Bob

Hailing from Virginia, this pianist began his playing at the tender age of four. Bob’s mother, Marguerite, knew his talents immediately, walking in on little Bobbie, on a toy piano, playing half the primer book from which she had been teaching. Being the son of music educators (both Mom and Dad were holders of Master’s Degrees in Music from Northwestern University), Bob began his training early, and by the age of six he was playing Mozart.

High school years brought new challenges and instruments into the fold. One could find Bob practicing classical music on piano and pipe organ till the wee hours of the morning. The vibrant tones of the trombone, now a serious endeavor for Bob, could be heard throughout the small town of Staunton, Virginia. He had been fortunate in that some of music’s finest players and educators were nearby, enabling Bob to study piano/organ with Dr. Carl Broman and trombone with Dr. George West. Having his Dad as his high school band leader, an accomplished trombonist in his own right, certainly helped form Bob into the musician, and person, he is today. Those years also framed his love of performing, through school-sponsored concerts, competitions and the formation of his rock band Love, Faith and Truth.

A decade of hard work paid off as Bob was offered a full performance scholarship to East Carolina University where he was introduced to many new styles of music, including Jazz, which became his lifelong passion.

Life on the road, performing in a great rock band is a dream for most, and Bob was no different. And he had his chance with Jubal, a group in the tradition of Yes, Genesis, ELP and Led Zeppelin, performing all over the South, Northeast, Midwest and Canada. After a few great years, Bob moved on to play in several show bands including JD Cash, Spiral Staircase, Lighthouse and Ritz.

Bob settled in South Florida in the early eighties, working fervently with several top-forty bands. His love for Jazz never waivered as he continued his studies at Florida Atlantic University and privately with Mike Gerber and Don Millitello.

Years passed, experience and chops cultivated, Bob is now a seasoned and consummate professional. Able to perform a wide variety of music styles, he will bring those years of knowledge and performance savvy to your event. Just choose your genre and ensemble size, solo to quintet, vocals or instrumentals, and your party or occasion will be filled with all the enjoyment this master musician can convey. Click on the Contacts page to reach Bob for further details.

Some say you are as good as the company you keep. In upholding that premise, Bob has played with well-known artists such as Nat Adderly, Dave Liebman, Jaco Pastorius, Marlena Shaw, Vanessa Ruben, Fred Wesley, Tom Browne, Roy Clark, Buck Trent, The Platters, Coasters, Drifters, Sherrells and Marveletts. Bob also had the great opportunity to play a special concert in Bermuda with his fellow artist Shelton Bean, in tribute to his father, the well-known drummer, Tootsie Bean.

Locally known associates include Melva Houston, Joe Robinson, Janice Price, Scott Adair, Soul Central, The Rob Massengale Band and many others. He is a founding member of the new jazz/funk/fusion band, M4B. They recently headlined at the Hillsborough Jazz Festival and appeared at the Coltrane Jazz Festival in High Point, North Carolina. Their first CD, “I Feel Your Love,” can be purchased through this website. Also available here is Bob’s original work as The Bob Sanger Trio on “No Words”. Please check out the Collaborations page for more info and links to some of these great artists.

Currently, Bob can be heard at various North Carolina venues as a solo artist or part of an ensemble. Click on the Live Dates page for a detailed itinerary. Come on by and share this master musician’s love of music!