Drummer Robert Broz had his first professional gig when he was 17 playing jazz standards in a piano trio that marked the beginning of his career in music. “I feel very blessed to be able to make a living doing what I love, and I don’t take that for granted†says Robert. Along the way he has played in everything from jazz, blues, big band and rock bands, to orchestras, country and latin bands. Currently he is drumming for the country band Smokin' Gunz. Playing throughout Illinois as well as Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa, Smokin' Gunz performed close to 100 shows in 2008. Along with clubs, fairs, festivals and private functions, Smokin' Gunz has shared the stage with national acts such as Chris Cagle, Heartland and Confederate Railroad. Including his responsibilities in SG, Robert drums at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington IL, Westridge Community Church in Elgin IL and freelance projects when available.
Originally from Cleveland, Robert had stops in Boston and Nashville before settling in Chicago. Since relocating to Chicago, projects Robert has been involved with include the original power pop band The JuJuBees, Steve Laxton, and drummer for the studio Big Sound Audio House. While in Nashville Robert kept busy drumming for the Tom Mason Band, The Mason/Patton Band, The Nashville Cowboy Church, numerous freelance gigs, and touring extensively throughout the US and Canada with various bands. Among the artists Robert has performed with include Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Joanne Cash-Yates, Connie Smith, Freddy Weller, Skeeter Davis, Ronnie Stoneman, Little Eva, George Hamilton IV, jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd and various singer/songwriters including Jan Buckingham, John Sieger and Greg Trooper. Artists opened for include Webb Wilder, The Honeydogs and John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. In Cleveland Robert worked with, among others, The Shakin' Snakes, Mark Addison and the country-rock band Buckshot, which played throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the East/Southeast US.
Robert has also had extensive studio experience. Along with numerous sessions recording demos and the occasional jingle he can be heard on the following recordings. Broken the band "Who We Are" 2006; Steve Laxton "Thursday Night At The Avenue Motel" 2002, which was produced by Gary Yerkins (The Insiders, The Juleps) and featured guest appearances by Cathy Richardson, John Rice, John Siegle and Nicholas Tremulis; The JuJuBees "Six Pack Of Pop" 2000; Tom Mason "Where Shadows Fall" 1998; The Tom Mason Band 1995. Robert was also the drummer when TNN filmed a television pilot for The Nashville Cowboy Church.
Along with his extensive professional resumé, Robert received his BA in Music from Cleveland State University. He also attended Berklee College Of Music where he was fortunate to take classes from such musicians as drummer Skip Hadden (Weather Report). Prior to that, Robert was at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where he was member of the Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.
When he isn’t busy playing, Robert gives private lessons in drums, percussion and piano at The Westridge School For The Arts in Elgin IL. Although he doesn’t play piano professionally, Robert actually started on piano before he picked up the sticks. “I really enjoy giving lessons. It helps keep the mind active and my chops up. I don’t want one of my students to pass me by. Not yet anyway!â€
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