Home » Jazz Musicians » Robert M. Crawford

Robert M. Crawford

Bob Crawford, born in the Bronx, NY, is one of those rare people combining musicality, scholarship, and business acumen into one seamless individual. After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1971 (Phi Beta Kappa/Magna cum laude) Bob embarked on his musical career full time.

From being the Musical Director, Guitarist, and Vocalist for the National Company of Paul Sills’ “Story Theatre”(1972-3) to the publishing of his book “Symmetric Cycles” by RMCO MUSIC in 2011, Bob has been actively involved in songwriting, arranging, producing, and studio work as a guitarist and vocalist for the past 30 years.

In 1975, Bob founded Josandra Rehearsal Studios in NYC which became the home of such celebrated musicians as Pat Martino, Larry Harlow, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver, Mongo Santamaria, Slide Hampton, Sam Jones, Tom Harrell, Kevin Eubanks, Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie, Brand X, Tom Rush, John Hammond, Aztec 2 Step, Jocelyn Brown, Meat Loaf, Loretta Devine, and Roz Ryan among many others.

In 1986 he acted as President of Lions’ Den Recording in NYC until 1990 when he formed RMCO MUSIC, his full-service production, recording, publishing, and consulting company.

In 1991, Larry Harlow (2008 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner and Latin Music Hall of Fame Member) recorded “My Time Is Now”(“Mi Tiempo Llego”) on the album of the same name, co-written by Bob Crawford and A. Dennis (Doc) Williams of the O’Jays released on Cache/Fania Records. In 2006, Maxine Brown (R&B Hall of Fame Member and Tony Award Winner) recorded another of Bob’s compositions “I Want To Be Loved” released on “From the Heart” (Mee Max Music, Inc.)

Still active today RMCO MUSIC boasts such varied clients as Jocelyn Brown (#1 Record “Somebody Else’s Guy”), Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones), Maxine Brown (Tony Award Winner, R&B Hall of Fame member), Dennis Williams (O’Jays, Temptations), Larry Harlow (Lifetime Grammy Award Winner & Latin Music Hall of Fame member) , Ron Richardson (Tony Award Winner for “Big River”), Loretta Devine (“Dreamgirls”- original Broadway cast, BET Image Award Winner), Maria Howell (“The Color Purple”), Vondie Curtis-Hall (Gotham & Satellite Awards Winner), Carl Hall (“The Wiz”), Aztec 2 Step, & Beverly Crosby.

On June 1, 2013, Bob released 2 Contemporary Jazz albums on RMCO MUSIC: BOB CRAWFORD/RMCO MUSIC presents: CONTEMPORARY JAZZ CROSSOVER INSTRUMENTALS Vol. 1 & 2 available at ITunes, AmazonMP3, Bandcamp, Google Play, & Spotify.

He continues to write, publish, and place songs with recording artists, for underscoring in film, TV, product placement, ringtones, video games, etc.

Read more

Tags

Bob Crawford—The Instrumental Giant Bob Crawford is a multi-talented instrumentalist…his music has so much to offer that it is unbelievable. His music is remarkably clever, solid, and full of incredible professionalism. Everything from the drums to the guitars is outstanding. You will find yourself amazed by his intelligent talent and rhythm. The creativity of each piece is stunning, soulful, fluid, and perfectly produced. One thing for sure is when you listen to him, you will enjoy the his complex harmonies and grooves that seem unstoppable. Bob Crawford, born in the Bronx, NY, is one of those rare people combining musicality, scholarship, and business acumen into one seamless individual

Read more

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.