Rob Mullins

Known for proficiency across both crossover and bop idioms, keyboardist Rob Mullins was born in Enid, Oklahoma. After a period in Ontario, California, his family settled in Denver upon his reaching age 14. Drums had occupied him since age 11, yet a broken leg from a car accident three years later prompted a shift to piano. Jazz already felt familiar thanks to his parents’ enthusiasm for the music, so by 16 he had assembled his own combo. Brief enrollment at the University of Northern Colorado came next, followed by lessons with George Russell in New York. While still in Denver he founded RMC Records and issued four albums that moved briskly throughout the region. Once in Los Angeles he became a steady presence on local stages and began issuing one strong-selling CD after another, chiefly on Nova, RME, and eventually Zebra. Over the years Mullins has performed with Branford Marsalis, Kirk Whalum, Ronnie Laws, Spike Robinson, Brian Bromberg, the Crusaders (filling Joe Sample’s chair on tour for three years), the Rippingtons, Diane Schuur, Dave Grusin, and many more, in addition to leading his own group of Denver all-stars. He has also taught music with consistent dedication for roughly three decades. His most recent projects are the 2006 release Standards & More and 2008’s Storyteller.