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Robert Reeves - Biography

e-mail: robtreeves@comcast.net

Robert Reeves - Saxophones


So many instruments, so little time! Robert Reeves, is proficient on Soprano, Alto and Tenor Saxophone and Flute. Roberts's rich musical history began while attending Pontiac Central High School where he became the sole (soul?) white boy at disco/funk/jazz music events throughout Pontiac and Detroit.

Robert attended the Interlochen Arts Academy, and was a member of the Central Michigan and Wayne State University Jazz Bands. He also performed with Windsor's Peabody Bridge Demolition Crew Big Band. Robert was co-leader of the latin/funk band Atlantez which filled in for Earth Wind & Fire at the 2003 Ford Motor Centennial Celebration. He's graced national stages with The Temptations, Leslie Gore (It's My Party & I'll Cry If I Want To), Blues vocal legend James "Thunderbird" Davis, trumpeters Maynard Ferguson & Tom Brown (Jamaica Funk), Brazilian vocalist and pianist Tania Maria, Mitch Ryder, New Orleans R & B Legend Earl King (Trick Bag), Jeane Carne (Don't Let It Go To Your Head Now), Buddy Rich's Big Band, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and even Jan and Dean.

The smooth tone from his tenor saxophone and aggressive melodic quality on alto saxophone, combines to make his presence on stage one of excitement. He has also been known to play both the tenor and alto saxophones at once, which brings them to their feet every time.

Bands:
2007 - present - The bugs Beddow band (Multi-Award winning trombone driven R&B Funk sensation)
2006 - 2006 - The Scott Lewis Band (Blues & Rock)
2002 - 2003 - Atlantez (7 piece latin funk ensemble)
2004 - xxxx - GEQ (Detroit Trumpeter Guy Ensley's Jazz Quintet)
1999 - 2001 - Johnny Rodriguez Fiery Latin Band (just that)
1994 - 1998 - Just Us (David Blake's Tuxedo Variety group)
1990 - 1995 - Sheiks of R & B (Hard pounding Windsor R & B group)
1989 - 2005 - The Arrangements (Jackson area Country Club favorite)
1988 - 1990 - Jaguars (Rock, Pop, & Motown)
1986 - 1989 - Ujima Jazz Ensemble (Pontiac's Quincy Stuart Jazz Quintet)
1983 - 1985 - The Sun Messengers (Band of the Detroit Pistons/Palace)
1983 - 1984 - Amigo (Francisco Mora's Latin Septet)
1983 - 1985 - The Robert Lowe Explosion (Funkified Guitarist)
1982 - 1983 - Parade (Detroit based Latin Jazz group)


Major Influences:
The Beatles, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, John Coltrane, Harry Connick Jr., Chick Corea, The Crusaders, Miles Davis, Earth Wind & Fire, Kenny Garrett, Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, Ronnie Laws, Lee Morgan, Charlie Parker, Jimmy Smith, Sting, The Tower of Power, Grover Washington Jr., Stevie Wonder, Phil Woods, Yes.


Gear:
- Yamaha Tenor Saxophone (not an instrument with lots of bragging rights - but plenty of war stories here!) Claude Lakey 4*3 Jazz Mouthpiece. Fredrick Hemke #3 reeds.

- Selmer Mark VII Alto Saxophone. Claude Lakey 4*3 Jazz Mouthpiece. Fredrick Hemke #3/3.5 reeds.

- Selmer Super Action Soprano Saxophone. Bari 66 Mouthpiece. Fredrick Hemke #3.5/4 reeds.

- Armstrong Flute (made from Vibranium metal straight from the African Nation of Wakandan).

- Carmax Lip Balm - tube, stick, and jar (especially in the winter season).

E-mail Robert Reeves