the Music of Robert Grabowski

I am Robert “Be-Bob” Grabowski, jazz bassist and the founder of the Absinthe Jazz Project, has a bachelors in composition from the University of Miami graduate work at Florida International University, back to UM for a jazz year, and finally a masters from Florida International University in Jazz Studies/Music ed, and has taught at FIU for thirty five years, as well as teaching at Florida Memorial University, the Thelonius Monk Institute and the Arsht Arts Center. He was the Jazz Historian in Residence for Larry Rosen’s Jazz Roots for seven years. 

His Jazz History classes and his Online Jazz History classes introduce over 500 students a semester to the music and his etext, “Evolution of Jazz in America”, is in it’s seventh edition and is a success. He is a jazz composer and just released his latest cd, Deepest Blue to rave revues. He was on air at WTMI, WLRN, and WDNA, working with the nations top voices, such as the great China Valles. He is also an avid SCUBA diver and has his underwater art in several major galleries in Miami and the FloridaKeys.

He has played and/or recorded with:

Dr. Lonnie Smith, Duffy Jackson, Bobby Thomas Jr, 

Jet Nero, Ira Sullivan, Donald Byrd, Gary Campbell, Eddie Higgins, Arturo Sandoval, Donald Erb, Nat Adderley, Don Menza, Steve Bagby, Jonathan Krisberg, Darrell Grant, Pete Minger, Mario and Diego Rivera, Antonio Hart, Cody Moffett, Sandy Patton, Melton Mustafa, Jesse Jones Jr., Archie Pena, Lou Columbo, Bobby Watson, Mike Orta, Wendy Peterson, Spyro Gyra, Allan Harris, Phil Strange, Larry Marshall, Bill Wharton, Rodolfo Zuniga, Aaron Lebos, John Zorn, John Simon (Taj Mahal), Jason Carder, Hal Howland, Felix Gomez, Felipe Lamoglia, Diana Doering, Butch Axesmith, and Randy Johnston.

He has engineered for:

Herbie Hancock, Bill Watous, Giovanni Hildago, Nil Lara, Luray Mystique, Will Lee, Dick Dunscomb, Stephen Talkhouse, Gopher Creek Studios, the Mid West Band Convention, Dr. Billy Taylor, the International Association of Jazz Educators, the Thelonius Monk Institute, Disney World Jazz Showcases, Third Wish, Tobacco Road, the FlU Jazz Band, Tipper Gore, Kevin Mahogony, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, and Peabo Bryson.

He has produced or co-produced concerts and events featuring:

Herbie Hancock, Teri Lynne Carrington, the Neville Brothers, Clark Terry, Dave Sanborn, Dr. Billy Taylor, the American Symphony Orchestra, Hiram Bullock, Susan Starr, Julliard's Continuum, Stanley Jordan, The Diaz Trio, the Murray Dranoff International Duo Piano Competition, I Soloisti L'Aquila, and produced the FIU International Jazz Festival for ten years.

He has served as music director for:

The Sun Bank Twilight Jazz Series on Lincoln Road, The Van Dyke Cafe, Dreams in Coconut Grove,and Cafe Moka in Tavernier Florida, 

He has also co-written and produced four National Endowment for the Arts/Jazz Masters grants in association with Florida International University.