The name "harmonica man" was bestowed, during a performance in New Orleans (with Cyril Neville and James Andrews), by James "12" Andrews. Genius trumpet player, friend, other brother, and birth brother of Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews. Three of the genius musical gifts to the world from New Orleans. You will often hear, Robert say, "My friends, are so very generous to let me play."The generocity of Robert’s friends has covered many musical genres and venues. From hole-in-the wall clubs (Bennie's) to the Hollywood Bowl, jazz to rockabilly, famous to not yet famous ........Here are only some of the very generous.....
No one has been more generous, with their love and support, than his other family the Neville Brothers. (especially Gay & Cyril, whom Robert calls "my partners in crimes of beauty") The one, the only(a national treasure), Taj Mahal , Little Feat (Paul Barrere, "put the harp in my hand and said you can play this."), Willie T, Tami Lynn, Albert Lee, Nickle Creek, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Earl†Fatha†Hines, Ernie Kadoe, Red Calendar, Putter Smith, John Prine, Buddy Guy, Tim Drummond, Slash, BB Chung King, Norman Caesar, Keng & Sir-Funk-a-lot, Bill “Count†Basie (who told Robert “I don’t play wit no sheet men!†, Eladio Reyes, Jean “Toots†Theilman, Larry Adler ( mentor & friend , who said “ maybe it’s better, if we just don’t teach you to read music and just let you play), Bruce Paine, Cash McCall Stan Berhens, Mac Rebennack, Uncle Teddy, Big Willie Dixon’s Band, Dan Kopel, Tarbender, Graham Nash, Don Gooch & Stan Johnson (who engineered his first recordings) Friend & hero, the irreplaceable Big Bill aka William Clarke, Eric Clapton, Lee Oskar, George Porter Jr., Leo Nocentelli & The Gila Monsters, James "12" Andrews, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews , the list continues to grow.......
You could call it " luck of the Irish" born in Ireland on St. Patrick's day, or "starry fate" born on the same day of the month as Nat "King" Cole. ( with whom, on his 11th birthday, on Nat's piano stool, at the Swanee Inn, they sat singing "happy birthday" to each other.) Robert has been able to be an artist his entire life........ a national and international award winning, director and production designer of films, television, commercials and music videos. Robert continues his ‘’hot pursuit of beauty’ making the “joyous noise.â€Myspace Backgrounds
