Rob Dixon Explained

Rob Dixon
Birth Date:Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genre:Jazz, fusion, jazz-funk, jazz rap
Occupation:Musician
Instrument:Saxophone
Years Active:1996–current
Label:Owl
Associated Acts:The Headhunters, Mike Clark, Derrick Gardner, Cynthia Layne, Steve Allee

Rob Dixon is an American jazz saxophonist.

A native of Atlanta, Dixon went to Indiana University where he came under the influence of the renowned jazz educator David Baker. After moving to New York in 1996, he began gigging around town with other up-and-coming musicians like drummer Ari Hoenig, organist Greg Lewis and pianist Rick Germanson, and vocalist Cynthia Layne. He subsequently worked in Illinois Jacquet's big band for four years before following tenor saxophonist Mark Turner in Tana Reid, a straight-ahead quartet co-led by drummer Akira Tana and bassist Rufus Reid.

After several years away, Dixon returned to Indianapolis in 2003, where he worked with a number of organizations, such as the Cleveland Heritage Jazz Orchestra and the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra.[1] In addition to working with these bands, he leads a jazz-funk group called and an organ quartet with veteran organ player Melvin Rhyne.

Dixon is signed with Owl Studios, an Indianapolis-based jazz label. He has released two albums on the label as a bandleader: What Things Could Be (2006) and Reinvention: The Dixon-Rhyne Project (2008).[2] On the latter album, Dixon collaborates with legendary jazz organist Melvin Rhyne, known for playing with, among others, Wes Montgomery and T-Bone Walker.

In addition, Dixon is often featured as a sideman with other Owl Studios recording artists, including Derrick Gardner & the Jazz Prophets, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, Cynthia Layne, Steve Allee, Mike Clark, and The Headhunters.[3] His composition (with Raeford Gerald) Bump'n from the Middle is on the compilation Act 1 on Southbound, Ace Records (UK).[4]

Dixon also directs the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Youth Jazz Ensemble. .[5]

Discography

YearArtistTitleLabel
2006 Rob Dixon & Trioloy +1What Things Could BeOwl
2007Cynthia LayneBeautiful SoulOwl
2008 Derrick Gardner and The Jazz ProphetsA Ride to the Other Side...Owl
2008 The Dixon-Rhyne ProjectReinvention: The Dixon-Rhyne ProjectOwl
2008 Buselli–Wallarab Jazz OrchestraWhere or WhenOwl
2009 Derrick Gardner & The Jazz ProphetsEchoes of EthnicityOwl
2009 Mark BuselliAn Old SoulOwl
2010 Buselli-Wallarab Jazz OrchestraMezzanineOwl
2010 Mike ClarkCarnival of SoulOwl
2011 The HeadhuntersPlatinumOwl
2013 Tony Adamo (Vocal/Spoken Word)Miles of BluUrbanZone
2018Rob Dixon TrioCoast to CrossroadsRob Dixon

Notes and References

  1. Web site: CD/LP Review: Carol of the Bells. Ken. Dryden. All About Jazz. 2007-12-17. 2010-09-24.
  2. Web site: CD/LP Review: Reinvention. John. Kelman. All About Jazz. 2008-06-19. 2010-09-24.
  3. Web site: Archived copy . 2011-05-27 . 2018-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181206001721/http://owlstudios.com/artists/rob_dixon.html . dead .
  4. Web site: Discogs details of album Act 1. . July 19, 2011.
  5. Web site: Wind and Jazz Ensembles. Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. December 18, 2016.