Role

:

Performer

Birth

:

1953 in Chicago, IL

 

Robert Irving III is a renowned American pianist, composer, and producer who has made significant contributions to the world of jazz and classical music. He was born on October 27, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz drummer, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to music at an early age. Irving began playing the piano at the age of five and showed exceptional talent. He was soon performing in local clubs and churches, and by the time he was a teenager, he was playing with some of the top jazz musicians in Chicago. He attended the Chicago Musical College and later transferred to the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he studied classical music. In the early 1980s, Irving was introduced to Miles Davis, who was looking for a new keyboardist for his band. Davis was impressed with Irving's playing and hired him on the spot. Irving went on to play with Davis for over five years, during which time he contributed to some of Davis's most iconic albums, including "The Man with the Horn," "Star People," and "Decoy." Irving's work with Davis helped establish him as a leading figure in the jazz world. He went on to work with other jazz greats, including Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, and Joe Henderson. He also began composing his own music and released several albums as a bandleader, including "Midnight Dream" and "New Momentum." In addition to his work in jazz, Irving has also made significant contributions to classical music. He has composed several orchestral works, including "Sketches of Brazil," which was premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1990. He has also collaborated with the Chicago Sinfonietta and the New World Symphony, among others. Irving has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 1986, he won a Grammy Award for his work on Davis's album "Tutu." He has also been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. In recent years, Irving has continued to perform and record, collaborating with a diverse range of musicians and exploring new musical styles. He has also become an advocate for music education, working with organizations such as the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic to promote music education in schools. Overall, Robert Irving III is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of jazz and classical music. His contributions as a pianist, composer, and producer have helped shape the course of music history, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

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