Robert Burke
MA Mus Perf (VCA), DipArts AmusA (VCA)
Senior Lecturer, Jazz & Popular Studies Coordinator
Email: robert.burke@arts.monash.edu.au
Phone: (03) 9905 1332
Fax: (03) 9905 3241
Location: Room 108, Performing Arts Centre, Building 68, Clayton Campus
Biography
Rob Burke is classically trained but his main focus has been in the Jazz and Rock fields of music. He has studied extensively with the likes of Dave Liebman, George Garzone and George Coleman in New York.
Rob has performed and composed on over 100 CDs including Kate Ceberano (8 years including writing a top 10 hit) and Joe Camilleri and the ‘Black Sorrows’. With these acts Rob (including his own projects) has toured extensively through Asia, Europe, USA and locally. Rob has released a two duet records with Tony Gould titled ‘Gateway’ (Newmarket) (Australia Council Grant) and ‘A Tin Roof for the Rain’ (Larrikin). Rob also is the leader of a groove band called ‘Dodge’, which released a CD in 2000-titled ‘Offline’. A new solo CD was released through Jazzhead in July 2003 titled Wide Eyed. This CD was funded by a Vic Arts grant.
In 2005 Rob was the Musical Director for the Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival ball and completed a recording with Guitarists Slava Gergorian, Doug Devries, Peter Pertucci, Geoff Hughes and Steve Magnusson titled The Edge of Today. This ensemble performed at the Forum Theatre in May as part of the Umbria- Melbourne Jazz festival.
Rob has also written and produced five short film scores as well playing and composing for many TV and radio jingles including the last four Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival TVC’s (2008 was nominated for best composition for TVC -APRA).
More recently in 2006 - 2009, Rob has performed at jazz clubs and festivals in Italy, Brazil, New Caledonia, USA and Australia. Rob was nominated for an APRA composition award in 2009. Rob is currently composing/recording 3 cds which will be released within the next 2 years through Jazzhead.
Rob became co-ordinator jazz/popular music at Monash University in 2003 and is also an a advisor for VCAA – VCE music 2011.
‘A stunning jazz album that identifies Melbourne as a significant contributor of talent and inventive and pioneering jazz on the world stage. Beautifully recorded and presented. … This record is a collaboration of some of the most influential protagonists on the Melbourne scene and is undoubtedly a masterpiece.’ - Eddie Naran – Jazz on the Street.
‘An exciting tour of Melbourne. There are moments where you will get chills down your back’ 4.5* - The Age Green Guide. Melbourne, 28th July 2005
‘There is a romance in the tracks that comes from an exploration of a stage of jazz which has pleasured many for a long time. While gentle… it is quietly persuasive of all the life, clarity and brilliance to be found in mainstream jazz. Emotional and relaxing.' Canberra Times, Canberra, 18 Aug 2003