Rob Burger
Accordian
About
Rob Burger is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and arranger whose career began in the early 1990s in New York’s avant-garde jazz scene. In 1994 he toured with Bill Frisell's band as an accordionist before relocating to San Francisco, where he co-founded the Tin Hat Trio with Mark Orton. The group became known for its distinctive blend of contemporary classical, folk, world, and jazz music. In 2001, Burger returned to New York and collaborated with a wide range of artists, including John Zorn, Laurie Anderson, Iron & Wine, and Lucinda Williams. A prolific session musician and film contributor, he has worked on scores for films such as Ocean’s 8, Nebraska, The Holdovers, and Everything Is Illuminated. Burger has also created original music for organizations like Apple, Toyota, The Guggenheim, PBS, The Wall Street Journal, and Mercedes-Benz.
Trivia
Rob Burger is a collector of unusual instruments; his collection includes a Hammond Solovox vacuum-tube synth, an Estey portable pump organ from the 1940s, and various toy pianos and keyboard glockenspiels. Rob Burger has lived and worked in various cities- New York, San Francisco, Portland, Nashville; his 2019 album "The Grid" is a reflection of these many locations. Rob Burger counts Miles Davis, John Lennon, Brian Eno, Alice Coltrane, and Nina Simone among his influences.
Early Life
Rob Burger, born in 1971 on Long Island, New York, was immersed in music from an early age, learning piano at six and later playing various instruments like clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet. He performed in wind ensembles, jazz bands, and vocal groups, and participated in Juilliard's youth program. At the University of Massachusetts, he studied classical music with Nigel Coxe and improvisation with Yusef Lateef, Archie Shepp, and Max Roach. After graduating, Burger returned to New York City, frequenting iconic venues like The Knitting Factory and The Kitchen, where he became part of the city’s dynamic music scene.
Rob Burger Solos
2001
Accordian solo - Painter Song - 2001
4/4 straight in A major at 78 BPM