Rob Shirakbari

Rob Shirakbari is the Music Director for pop/soul icon, [a113673], and for years Rob was the keyboardist, arranger and music director for legendary composer, [a58359]. Married to [a839717].

Rob is a musical Renaissance Man. A true jack-of-all-trades and master of many, indeed, he is at equal ease playing playing Debussy on the piano or rocking a B-3 organ, orchestrating and conducting for a symphony orchestra or thrashing a Les Paul through a Marshall, programming a drum beat or grooving on an electric bass.

Behind the glass, Rob can guide an artist with the wisdom of a seasoned producer or roll up his sleeves and engineer the session alongside the best technicians. He has produced and recorded with a wide range of artists and projects.

Rob has recorded and performed with such legendary artists as Duffy, Rumer, Adele, Elvis Costello, Leann Rimes, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Whitney Houston, Chrissie Hynde, Ray Charles, Faith Hill, Sir Cliff Richard, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Chris Botti, Rufus Wainwright, Garth Brooks, Jamie Cullum, Michael Bublé, Peabo Bryson, Boy George, Caro Emerald, Ivan Lins, Gladys Knight, Frank Sinatra, Queen Latifah, David Foster, Gloria Estefan, Barry Manilow, Cyndi Lauper, Ben Folds, Olivia Newton-John, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Jeffrey Osborne, David Sanborn, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, George Duke, Ronald Isley and a host of others.

In 2000, Rob served as one of three Musical Directors for the 72nd Academy Awards© (along with Don Was and Burt Bacharach). Rob wrote the arrangements and conducted the pit orchestra for the four-hour awards show. As well, Rob played keyboards in the on-camera band that featured Ray Charles, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Faith Hill, Dionne Warwick and Isaac Hayes in a tribute to Oscar-winning songs.

As a writer, Rob is a long-time contributor to Keyboard and Electronic Musician magazines, among others, writing feature articles and product reviews.