MA
Rob Flax is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator from Evanston, IL with a playful heart and an open mind. He has performed nationally and internationally with groups of many different styles, including opening for B.B. King and Tower of Power, playing viola and violin with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and YouTube star Jacob Collier, upright bass in an Argentine tango ensemble, mandolin and fiddle in various bluegrass bands, electric violin in several rock bands, collaborations with modern dancers, and more. As a composer Rob has written music for choreographers, film (including work on projects for James Franco and Anthony Bourdain), and several original projects. Rob is a graduate of the New England Conservatory, and he currently lives in Boston, MA.
In his “One Man Band” shows and workshops, Rob uses a looper pedal and other effects to transform his violin into an entire symphony of sounds, as well as use other instruments like piano, guitar, and percussion.
In his "Boom Chick Trio" shows, Rob fronts an energetic trio of virtuoso violin, guitar, and bass plus three part harmony vocals. Rooted in equal parts hot swing, snarky songwriting, and lyrical storytelling, this will transport you to a speakeasy somewhere in the back of a bar.
As a singer Rob draws influences from a long list of vocalists including Nat King Cole, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Harry Belafonte, Reggie Watts, and Bobby McFerrin. His songs are sometimes humorous, and like his hero Tom Lehrer Rob also has a degree in mathematics. Rob’s favorite composer is Fred Rogers, and like Mister Rogers Rob strives to create a better world using his musical gifts to spread light and joy.
Rob is also an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary artist, and a champion chess player. He is the inventor of the "Chessboard Drum Machine," which transforms the game of chess into a musical instrument. For more on this project, please visit robflax.com/ChessMusic.
Institution/Business Type:
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2012
Institution/Business Type:
Artist / Creative (Individual)
Legal Status:
Commercial / For profit - Sole proprietorship
Year Founded:
2012
Primary Discipline:
Music - FolkAdditional Disciplines:
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ELIOT SCHOOL OF FINE AND APPLIED ARTS
School of the Arts
Date: 10/2020-10/2020
Outdoor concert series and fundraiser with Brian Friedland
Jamaica Plain Tuesday Club and Loring-Greenough House
Historical Society / Commission
Date: 01/2020-01/2020
Solo performance at the historic Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain
SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY - CENTER FOR CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS
School (Higher Ed Arts Program / Department)
Date: 04/2019-04/2019
Interdisciplinary/Multidisciplinary workshop for musicians and dancers
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Workshops/clinics for strings, percussion, singing, improvisation, and more for all ages/levels. Fees range from $300—$2K depending on length, location, etc. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EQioYro-xLVpeYESN0NkliJJQ2KTgYdXeEblNnewMDA/edit?usp=sharingTeaching Settings:
Ages Served:
Subject Areas:
Certifications and Training:
Fee range:
Workshops/clinics for strings, percussion, singing, improvisation, and more for all ages/levels. Fees range from $300—$2K depending on length, location, etc. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EQioYro-xLVpeYESN0NkliJJQ2KTgYdXeEblNnewMDA/edit?usp=sharingNEST Eligible Artist
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Solo performer: $500—$1k Duo: $1k—2K Trio: $1,500—$3k Quartet: $2,000—$4kState of Residence:
MassachusettsMinimum Number of Performers:
1Maximum Number of Performers:
4