The Band

Rob Wilkerson plays alto saxophone with the Bublé band. On tour with Michael, Rob has shown us that his talents lie not only in being an accomoplished saxophone player but also as a smooth and stylish catwalk model and sometimes singer ...

Rob is one of the nicest and most humble guys you could ever meet and his wonderful sense of fun and humour is evident throughout the shows.

Born on September 27, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rob's introduction to the alto sax began in elementary school. He went on to become one of New Mexico's best young musicians, playing professionally in local dance, jazz and salsa bands and winning numerous awards along the way.

Rob is both classically and jazz trained with a Bachelors Degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of New Mexico and a Masters Degree in Jazz Studies and Saxophone Performance from the University of North Texas (UNT), where he played lead alto in the Jazz Repertory Ensemble and in the One O'Clock Lab Band (1999-2000). Rob also plays the soprano saxophone and clarinet.

He has taught at both undergraduate and graduate level including a one-year saxophone teaching fellowship in saxophone studio and jazz studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he also conducted the Five O'Clock Band and was a finalist in the UNT Concerto Competition.

As a classical musician, Rob has performed as a soloist with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and with many chamber ensembles in the Southwest.

Together with fellow Bublé band member, Justin Ray, Rob was briefly a mentor on the Young Razzcals Jazz Project which gives youngsters the opportunity to learn improvisation techniques and musical phrasing from prominent jazz musicians who have volunteered their time and expertise.

Now based in New York, Rob leads his own group and when he's not touring with Michael  Bublé, Rob performs with various jazz ensembles including the Darcy James Argue Jazz Orchestra, Pablo Mayor's Folklore Urbano, Pulse, Russ Spiegel Big Band, Schumacher/Sanford Sound Assembly and the Yumiko Sunami Big Band.

Rob is also an extraordinarily versatile composer. His debut album of original works, "Imaginary Landscape", recorded on the Fresh Sound New Talent label, reflects a diversity of influences and moods and has been well received by jazz critics and fans alike. Rob is currently working on his second album which is tentatively titled "Nest".


Michael Bublé Recordings featuring Rob Wilkerson 


CD + DVDs

* dates in brackets are UK release dates

Caught In The Act    Michael Bublé ~ Caught In The Act (2006)*

 

CDs

Let It Snow!    Michael Bublé ~ Let It Snow! (EP) (2007)




Recordings by Rob Wilkerson

CDs

Rob Wilkerson ~ Imaginary Landscape   Rob Wilkerson ~ Imaginary Landscape (2004)

Track Listing:

1. Open(ing)
2. Twisted Path
3. Rabp Dance
4. For Walt
5. Imaginary Landscape
6. Bind
7. Confirmation
8. Imaginary Landscape (Reprise)

Read reviews and comments on "Imaginary Landscape":



Other Artists' Recordings featuring Rob Wilkerson

CDs

  Darcy James Argue's Secret Society presents Infernal Machines

 

Jon Gagan ~Transit 2  Jon Gagan ~ Transit 2

 

  Pablo Mayor Folklore Urbano ~ Aviso


Articles featuring Rob Wilkerson


Offical Website & MySpace URL:


Exclusive Interview for www.bubléband.com

Rob Wilkerson kindly allowed me to interview him in Kettering, Ohio in 2006, right before Michael was due to play at the Fraze Pavilion outdoor auditorium - thank you, Rob!

Fraze Pavilion - Kettering, Ohio, USA - Thursday, 29th June, 2006

What is your date and place of birth?
September 27th, 1973 – Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Where did you grow up?
I stayed in Albuquerque for the first portion of my life – a couple of trips here and there but not a whole lot of leaving – it’s not close to a whole lot.

And where do you currently call “Home”?
Brooklyn, New York.

When did you start learning to play the saxophone?
I started in Fourth Grade I guess - technically in school band. We had a saxophone around the house. My sister played a little saxophone so it kind of was happenstance that the instrument was around and that’s the only reason I played saxophone – I was going to be in band so it was kind of random … and then a little more seriously in middle school – not really seriously until high school.

So did you choose to concentrate on the alto sax?
It’s kind of the one that you start on on saxophone, for the most part, unless you have a teacher who really … most kids start on alto especially because it’s smaller so kids can play it … well there’s the soprano, but that’s so small that it’s a little bit more difficult to play. It takes a little more armature control so that’s a little more of an advanced instrument. Alto and tenor are for the bigger kids.

Presumably you can play all the other ranges of sax as well?
I can – not everybody that plays saxophone … they could … probably pick them up and play but you do need to spend a little time on it and I did quite a bit of classical playing too so I spent a lot of time on all four of them.

Is that just because of the positioning of the keys?
Part of it. It’s more the size of it – it sort of changes the mouthpiece and the amount of air you breathe in and tone … tone control, that kind of thing. The fingering takes a little to get used to but it’s pretty standard but even the baritone, like Frank [Basile]’s horn – it’s not … it doesn’t feel a whole lot different to mine – the keys kind of expand the same …

Do you play any other instruments at all and if so to what standard?
I play clarinet and flute professionally and I play piano and guitar good enough to get by I guess. I would say compositional piano and amateur guitar.

What inspired you to become a professional musician? Was there a defining moment when you thought that this was absolutely the thing you wanted to do?
Well, I think in high school I just sort of got real turned on by just sort of being the better kid. Well, there’s not much of the older kids playing in the jazz band I just sort of … there’s a little bit more for the saxophone to do than in a concert band. So that, sort of mixed with whatever matter of timing and whatever degree of natural talent I have …

It worked out that I’d won an audition to be the lead saxophonist in the concert band, then the wind ensemble when I was a freshman, and that sort of … it was almost more from that success that I felt like I had to live up to that standard – I felt like it was a little bit more achieved than I felt like and I was ahead of some older kids and that sort of spurred me on.

Well, at that time you don’t really know and it’s just a social thing – well, at least it was for me in Albuquerque – ‘cos I didn’t really come from a musical family. It was a social thing and I enjoyed the music too.

What is your academic training and professional background?
I have a Bachelor’s in Saxophone Performance – which is like a classical performance degree - and I have a Masters in Jazz Studies.

And where were they both gained?
The University of New Mexico was my undergrad – that’s in Albuquerque, and I studied at The University of North Texas – that’s kind of like a prestigious jazz school down in Texas.

Who has been your greatest influence or inspiration?
I mean I guess .. consistently … I’d have to say my Mom, I suppose … but, you know, musically … not so much. I think otherwise … it changes in different parts of your life, you know. I think, when I was first starting, my band director was a very positive influence – John Sanks … and then it became … of course I was influenced by a lot of people that I never knew, you know, on recordings – John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker – the list is extremely long of great guys that influenced me. But also my undergrad saxophone teacher, Carrie Koffman – she was a HUGE influence on me as well … pedagogically and musically – she’s a beautiful player, a special lady and a very good friend.

If you could play with any band or artist who would that be and why?
Well, I guess I’d really like to play with Brad Mehldau on piano. I think he’s just sort of awakened a realization of the possibilities in modern music to me when I first heard him play. He’s not a whole lot older than me but musically he’s been a leader since he was probably 20. He’s great. I would just love an opportunity to play with him at some point.

If you could play any venue in the world where would that be and why?
Well, I guess I would really love to play at the Village Vanguard – I’ve never gotten to. I guess maybe at some point I’d like to play with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra like Frank [Basile] does. I’d love to play in a smaller jazz group there at some point – whether it be my own band or something different. I’d just love to play on that stage. It just has so much history on it.

A few of the guys would like to play at the Village Vanguard – I think Josh [Brown] … obviously Frank [Basile] has played there .. .who else … Justin [Ray], possibly? It was their venue of choice too.
Aha … Yeah, it’s just a real special room … small, you know? I’ve been fortunate enough to play a lot of the … Carnegie Hall … and a lot of the bigger venues … Sydney Opera House, Hollywood Bowl. I guess it’s the nice thing about this – that we get to play a lot of places. It’s cool, but you know, I’d like something, personally, just a little more intimate space and that’s just something Michael can’t do anymore so we’ll probably never play there!

What’s your favourite place you’ve visited on tour and is there anywhere you would like to visit where the tour hasn’t reached yet?
I really love Vancouver – believe it or not … and probably Sydney – the whole place is just really magical. Vancouver I would say is number one – nicely laid out, moderate temperatures. It’s really a great place and Stanley Park – it’s just amazing. You just go for a very little amount and be in nature. I’d love to go to Japan. I’d love to go to Tokyo and we’ve never been there – maybe some of the guys went there on promo once, but we’ve never gone there to tour. So I hope we go there at some point ‘cos it’s such a trip – it’s a difficult vacation to plan and I don’t know if I’ll ever make it out there otherwise, so hopefully … maybe someday …

When did you join Michael’s band and how did that come about – did you have to go through an audition process?
Not in the standard sense. The first gig I did with Michael was the David Letterman show. I believe it was like February ’05, maybe January ’05 – I’m not really sure. I was teaching at the time and I came back to do that gig and that was very similar to what this is. Maybe there were a couple of different musicians – different trumpet player, different trombone player to Jumaane [Smith] and Josh [Brown], but Frank [Basile] and I were on it, and besides that it was the band now.

So did Alan [Chang] call you in for that or how did that happen?
Well, Alan called … I was recommended by … Justin [Ray] I think … but I was also good friends with Mark Small ahead of time and … acquaintances with some of the other guys … so yeah, I guess at that point I don’t think there had been four new horns at that point so they were sort of trying to feel some people out and, you know, I guess it went OK at Letterman so they thought the hang was comfortable … I guess I was recommended by Justin. So that’s just sort of how it is – they try a couple of people out for a tour and see how it works.

So you knew some of the guys as acquaintances – but who did you know and who didn’t you know when you joined?
I’d heard a lot about all of them because all these guys went to school together through Boston and … but I knew Nick [Vayenas] a little bit. I guess I’d never met [Bryan] Lipps or Alan [Chang], but besides that I’d met everybody – Rob Perkins, a little bit and Craig [Polasko], a little bit … and maybe Randy [Napoleon], I think … yeah, maybe I’d met Randy once before. I might have met them ALL before once actually really quickly – I think I came to their … I saw their Town Hall gig – I was just hanging out with Justin and Bill Wysaske at the time (who was a friend of mine from school at the time).

Have you written any of the arrangements for the concert setlist?
No, I haven’t written any of the stuff that we play currently.

Do you have any plans to do that?
There are no plans right now. I’ve kind got it in the back of mind that if something becomes necessary I’d love to do something. A lot of the guys aren’t really doing whole a lot of the arrangements right now … you know – the guys that David Foster sort of picks … a lot of the guys do “adaptions” from what we play now – for 8 horns. The arrangements for the records are for big band. We played those on the PBS Special – the full big configuration, with strings and everything – these were sort of like … they include all that but with an 8-horn, so they’re sort of adaptions and I’ve done none of those either but that’s just because I wasn’t in the band when they were done. So who knows … I mean, I would imagine I might get an opportunity to do something by the time … next year, you know, a year from now rolls around and we’re ready to tour again with the new album … who knows … if I’m still touring.

For you on alto sax, which is technically the most difficult song of Michael’s to play?
I guess “Smile” probably. It’s got some tricky lines in there – and it’s just sort of hard to keep it all together. Not that it’s all that technically difficult – it’s a little bit challenging to hear in larger venues. The faster the tempo the more we need to hear the time so when things are sort of bouncing around that makes it a little more challenging. We get the in-ears giving us the right cymbal … If we were sitting out here and we were all facing each other and playing I don’t think it would be any kind of problem. So it’s a little tricky …

So would the sound equipment and also the fact that this is an outdoor venue …
… the larger venue, yeah …which is a trick ‘cos this type of stuff is usually played in the smaller venue and little bars, but anyway, it’s fun – a fun challenge!

How do you manage to keep your performances fresh playing the same songs over and over? Not to be cheesy … it’s easy because you just try to put yourself in the shoes of all the fresh faces that are seeing the show for the first time … you know, and they really bring a lot of excitement … not just the people that haven’t seen the show before but the people that HAVE seen the show before that you recognize. And really, the show is really dear to their heart and they want to see a special performance so that really gears you up to do it. Plus … Michael is just a machine at that – he is able to give his all every night. You just feel it and try to suck some of his energy, but he has it all – course he has the motivation to do it. So it’s easy for us. I get a lot of flack but I have a lot of fun doing the shows.

And it shows – it shows with all of you.
Yeah, you know, I mean, I suppose there’s sometimes … there’s different types of boredom … it’s an evolving thing. I guess like a relationship with a friend or any relationship that we have in our lives … it just changes. But it’s easy to do what you love for a living. I hope that’s a good answer!

That’s a very good answer! … What is a typical day in the life of Rob Wilkerson like on tour with Michael?
Well, I mean at this point … I really try to make sure that I get enough sleep and actual sleeping time? You know, like eight hours in a row … if I can and that’s a challenge. Basically I put all my energy towards that … trying to happen – that’s kind of my main concern but once I awaken early I try to – just because everything else on the road – health – kind of stems from that, for me. But I try to keep in touch with people … on the Internet … answer fanmail – what little of it there is! – and deal with that kind of stuff … it’s kind of housecleaning, email – that sort of stuff. That takes a little time.

I try to work out, do a little running and work on music as much as I can. I brought a guitar on the road – I try to play and write new songs with that. It’s hard to play sax on the road because it’s just a loud instrument. Fortunately it’s an instrument where you can ride on fumes if you’ve reached a professional level. I play the show for six weeks without doing a whole lot of playing. I get to warm up and I get to do a couple of things but it’s not like a couple of hours of practicing I would do in a normal day. Two hours in a hotel is just going to be really disturbing to the neighbours. When we’re touring all the time it’s challenging – it’s fine for the show but I don’t want to feel like disconnected from my instrument but I’m able to feel connected to my music doing other stuff that helps.

And what’s a typical day like for you when you’re not touring?
I try to have music be a big part of my day and I try to work out. But as it’s been now … my time off … off the road has been basically treated like vacation ‘cos we’ve been ON, most of the time. So I try to spend as much time with my wife as is humanly possible. I feel kind of like I have to take every gig which is offered to me when I’m home – which has been kind of a lot these last couple of breaks, which is a godsend, ‘cos you … it’s fearful that you’re going to lose all those relationships that you have with people at home when you’re gone for so long so I try to keep those alive as much as possible. So I try to do all that stuff but really I would rather do less. I just feel exhausted and I just try gear up …we’ll see, we’ll see – I think I’ll be able to get back into a harder working on music schedule when I’m home - coming up here – ‘cos we’re probably going to have a good amount of time off before we do any more touring again.

After Hawaii, the last couple of shows …
Yeah, I think for probably a while – maybe a few private gigs but that’s about it. So that’ll be good … I mean I’m looking forward to working on my music again.

Do you carry your sax with you on tour or is it packed off with the rest of the gear?
I carry it with me. It’s not too big and there’s room for it on the bus so I carry it with me.

So nothing’s happened to it at all?
No. It’s been OK. It always gets on the plane. It’s small enough but the guys have a lot of problems. Mine’s a hard case which I think would take it if I had to go on there. Unfortunately, it’s kind of ironic that I’ve never had a problem with it.

Can you tell me some technical details about the sax you use on tour and is that different to the instrument you play at home?
No – it’s my horn and I like to play all the time. The only reason the guys bring out other horns is for traveling – basically so they can stay in good condition but, you know, it’s my horn, I’ve had it for years – same horn, same set up, same reeds.

Which parts of the show do you play strictly according to written arrangements and which parts are improvised or ad libbed?
Well, musically almost all of it is written out – with the exception of … sometimes we play a little blues when Michael runs out into the audience and we’ll improvise in the background and I have just one solo during the show – during the instrumental number that we do now – and that’s improvised and hopefully different every night. But besides that, it’s all written out. As far as, you know, the kinda schtick, it’s sort of like the music – you sort of have an idea of what you’d expect but we try not to script anything out, you know? Like if we do the modeling bit or if we do something else … so it feels fresh … even if we’re doing it every night. That’s the hardest thing. Music is easy ‘cos we’re musicians but the acting … it’s fine but it’s easier for me if it feels a little fresher.

So, talking of the catwalk modeling part of the show – how did the fashion show part of the concert come about?
Well, I think I was already doing some stuff during that period … like we had this kind of angry, sexy tiger thing we were both out there doing something together. So we did that for a really long time actually …

Did you volunteer for that or did Michael choose you to do it?
Well the way THAT started was sort of miscommunication right when I first started the job! Well, not even miscommunication but I sort of fell into it … like when we were taking photos, he wanted us to ham it up and try to cover him up ‘cos we’re so starved of attention and he said, “You know, it would be great if you guys just ran out front and stood in front of me” – and erm, I was the only one that did it! So then it was just me and Bublé, so he had a little fun with me and we just started doing stuff and then it sort of went on from there.

So it evolved into the fashion thing?
… and then the fashion thing actually started during Alan Chang’s birthday party up in one of Bublé’s hotel rooms – I don’t even know, I think I was just joking around … kind of fashion styles, and he’s like, “Oh! Let’s put that in the show!”. I thought he was kidding and then the next night he sort of pulled it on me.

Was this the end of last year [2005] – because it was quite recent, wasn’t it?
Yeah … I feel like we were doing it in … the end of … the end of …

… the European tour?
…the European tour … back in the UK at the very end … and I think we were, yeah, doing it maybe at the end of the UK tour and then sort of more this year and … it’s always been kind of “does it or doesn’t” ‘cos, you know, I think he wants it to kind of feel sort of fresh … some nights we do it, some nights we don’t … yeah, I really never know … sort of prepared …

So it can take you by surprise then? But at least you sort of know WHEN during the show …
Yeah, I mean I’m sort of prepared but I never feel prepared enough to enjoy it.

So is this your favourite part of the concert or do you have another favourite part?
Oh, well … you know, it’s kind of funny – that part is kind of a challenge for me … it takes a lot out of me. Sometimes … well, I never know how it’s going to be perceived … I think people think it’s funny … some people come to see Michael and I just feel like … you just feel like … well, he’s the one that wants it but you feel like you’re overstepping the bounds – it’s challenging. I feel comfortable goofing around but I’m not necessarily that extrovert of a person … Some of the songs I like a lot … I’m trying to think … kind of varies but… “The More I See You” is a really swinging, great feeling song – I kind of like that one a lot …

Is that your favourite song that Michael sings?
It’s hard to say but yeah, that’s probably it. I think it’s a really great arrangement.

What’s been your most moving or memorable experience touring with Michael?
Hard to say … I’m sure there’s a good answer here … trying to think … it should just pop out … I know there are a couple … but I think generally … generally, he kind of amazes me that he’s kind of able to really produce when he’s feeling deathly ill, you know. There are just some shows where he goes off and vomits and comes back out and nobody would ever know in a million years …

Like last night [in Toledo]?
Yeah … that’s an amazing level of what that is. That doesn’t’ really translate to what I do on my own as a performer, as a jazz performer, as an instrumental jazz performer … but, it’s just an amazing thing to BE around, you know.

During the concert, do you play from sheet music or from memory?
At this point I play from memory. I have it memorized – played it a lot of times!

Could you tell the fans a bit about your family origins and ancestry?
I don’t exactly know everything – ‘cos my father wasn’t really in the picture … but the family name was “Sarran”. So I’m probably three-quarters’ Irish – but I don’t feel Irish-American – I’m an American, so I don’t’ necessarily …

So did you take your Mum’s name then?
My Dad was Wikerson but the family history is Sarran, so … the other quarter’s English … I think I have a negligible amount of Native American there.

I think you said earlier that you have a sister? Do you have any other brothers and sisters?
Yes, I have a sister and I have two brothers also.

Are any of them musicians at all?
No. My sister played a lot of instruments – alto and some sort of bass drum, I think, in a marching band. I think she can still play a little bit but she doesn’t and hasn’t for years.

Do you speak any languages other than English?
Not really. A little bit of Spanglish … growing up in New Mexico, but even that’s not good any more.

If you weren’t a musician what do you think you would most likely be doing careerwise?
I think about it … I like working with computers – I don’t necessarily see myself being a computer tech guy. I actually don’t mind office work, you know? But I’d have to find a better way to make money than temping office work but I like things that sort of engage me like that … kind of keeping up data – pretty boring but it’s just things that sort of engage me.

I’ve been trying to toy with general acting things and not getting a lot of time to do that. But being a professional actor is harder, or as hard as, being a professional musician so I don’t expect to get into that. But that’s something I might like to do for sure.

That would presumably involve further training or do you mean extras work?
It’s hard to say …

I guess living in New York it’s easier to do?
Yeah, there’ve been some opportunities …

I’m sure you’ll keep us posted!
Ah .. I wouldn’t worry about it!

Along with the other members of the Bublé band you recently played together as “The Boathouse All-Stars” at The Rex in Toronto. Whose idea or decision was it to create “The Boathouse All-Stars”; where did the name come from; and do you have any future gigs lined up?
It was Frank Basile’s – but that just sort of died along with him leaving the band! But yeah, we don’t have anything booked right now. Justin Ray’s doing a CD release in Albuquerque later next month. We’re gonna have a jam or probably all be there playing so that’s sort of what it’s become. “Boathouse All-Stars” was sort of based on an inside joke – probably kind of a wacky name!

Do the guys in the band have any nicknames for you?
They do, they do … I guess the most prevalent is “Dubdog”.

Where does that originate from?
Well, it comes from my last name …

Right …
… being “Wilkerson”? …

… Er, right …
Or “W” [double u] …

… Oh, I see!…
It’s a couple of steps away! I actually kind of find it amusing as well. At some point it sort of became “D-dog” – which is even more removed from “Wilkerson”!

What sort of music do you enjoy listening to yourself?
I like everything, I really do. But I listen to … lately … I listen to a lot of folk and rock music. I like the singer-songwriter, Sufjan Stevens a lot. I listen to a little bit of Thom Yorke’s new record that’s coming out - the lead singer from Radiohead. I like that a lot … I think it’s a big influence for my … well, as you know – you have my CD … and that stuff is a big influence on where I’m coming from compositionally. A lot of what I’ve gotten from jazz is sort of inside me now. I just try to channel some of these other musical ideas and see how they come out. Sounds kind of pretentious but that’s what I’m trying to do.

No! I mean it’s really interesting to get the convergence of the different genres and mixing it all up and coming up with something new.
Aha. Well hopefully I’m a catalyst, I guess, of those things and hopefully it makes it sound a little bit organic because of that, because it comes from me, and not too much like a weird juxtaposition, but … you know, it’s always a challenge to really know what you’re going for, who you’re writing for and why.

Outside of music, what are your hobbies and interests?
I really was into running a great deal and I’ve kind of gotten a little bit behind on that, as of late, but it’s kind of a general passion of mine. I ran a marathon in 2000 … and it’s gone downhill since that!

Which marathon was that?
The Dallas White Rock Marathon. I finished it - it was rough. I don’t really have an interest in running that far again. I like running ... like 5K basically. It’s a distance I like. I was pretty successful in that. I use to run some races and stuff like that and it was lot of fun. But now … I’m just getting well, finally. I’ve been under the weather the whole time I was home and a cough at the beginning of this tour. Like I was saying, the lack of sleep and just trying to like make it through the tour.

Yeah, I mean Europe, it must have been quite hectic because you were moving from venue to venue and I guess just sleeping on the bus. It must have been tough?
Yeah … it’s tough for me. I’ve never really gotten good at it, but it’s OK … Erm …yeah, I love running, I love … I watch a lot of TV – if given the opportunity … and I do like listening to music … kind of recreationally and video games, but it’s timing there …I have a hard time doing any of those things any more!

Programme-wise, what sort of stuff do you watch?
Well, I’ve gotten a lot into all of “Law & Order”s – which pretty much wastes the whole day … or the whole month! ‘cos it’s on non-stop. I always forget enough of them that I’m able to kind of watch them all again – ‘cos I never remember the verdict so it’s kind of alright. Those are pretty compelling. I like “The Simpsons”, I like “Futurama”. I watch a lot of stuff like “Adult Swim” – I try to watch that as much as possible. But I just don’t watch that much TV on the road – hardly any – just hard to really catch anything. When I’m in a hotel I’m just kind of working on music or trying to have some quiet time. I miss kind of three months of a thing at a time so when I’m home I catch up on a season of something.

That’s why DVDs are so great, aren’t they?
Yeah, yeah they are great! … I like “Little Britain” quite a lot …I’m not sure how many other guys are hip to it actually. I don’t think any of the other guys have really seen it yet. It’s hilarious. I saw some of the other stuff that those two guys did. Like they would do rock star impersonations and interviews …

“Rock Profile”?
Right. I saw a little of that while we were over there. That was funny. They never really made it over here so I haven’t really been able to catch it. I’m sure at some point they’ll release that here.

Fans travel from all over the world to see Michael, you and the rest of the guys perform live – by the same token, is there an act or artist you would travel the world over to see?
I guess I haven’t ever so I probably wouldn’t. There are some artists that I kind of would say that about, you know what I mean? I’ve never really gotten to see Radiohead and I would really love to – I missed that actually. That’s the band with Thom Yorke. I guess I’d love to see Radiohead live at some point. I love Beck a lot – I’d really like to see him live and Death Cab for Cutie I have seen live but I’d love to see them again. I would travel – if I had the means I would probably go to see them.

Your debut CD, “Imaginary Landscape” contains a track entitled “Rabp Dance” – which is an interesting title. Is the name “Rabp” significant at all?
It’s pronounced “Rap” …

Oops, is it? Sorry - silent “b”
(*Laughing*) That’s OK. Silent “b” – does it have a significance?

(*Embarrassed at my mispronounciation*) ... erm, yeah?
That’s sort of a nickname that I’ve had for a long time – outside of the band, that one of my friends gave me, basically …

So that’s from “Rob”?
Yeah, it’s sort of based off of a funny idea of what the spelling would be of a Mid-Western American accent? Like, “Go talk to Babp … go talk to Rabp” …

Ah, I see!
That’s sort of what that’s based on.

Personally, which is your favourite track on “Imaginary Landscape”?
It’s hard to say … you know, I feel really connected to all of them. In some ways the second one – “Twisted Path” – was one of my most successful compositions. I like the way that it worked out thematically and the way it drew out chordally. But I think “Bind” has been the most successful – it’s had the most life of it’s own – it’s been played at other people’s gigs and other musicians have played it away from me so I think in a lot of ways I’m really proud of that song. It’s a good combination of the vibe I wanted to create and sort of a playable song – without a whole lot of exaplanation, I think it’s valuable in the jazz idiom.

I understand you’re in the process of recording your second album?
Well, it’s already recorded. It’s done …

When will it be released and have you come up with a title for it?
I think it’s most likely going to be called “Nest” after one of the compositions. I’m still really working on it actually – I don’t know what I should say … on the record … I just don’t know when it’s going to come out, basically I’d love to have it come out soon because it was recorded almost over a year ago now – last August.

I’m happy with my old label in some ways but I feel like they … the distribution is very difficult; people are having a hard time getting it. The UK actually got it easier than most people are able to get it in the States, and in Canada, most people can’t get it at all. So sometimes there’s just frustration with that – although I love a lot of other things so I’ve been talking to … I’m waiting to hear from another label right now. We’ll see – if they’re interested then it would be a really great situation.

I know some of the guys use CDBaby …
Yeah, well you can put your stuff - even if you’re with a different label you can make it available on CDBaby, which is good …

[Vera and Rob go off on a tangent comparing the price of CDs in the UK and The States ...]

Are you working on any other solo or group projects which you could tell us about?
I have a lot of ideas in mind and a couple of projects. I mean I’ve sort of been writing some singer-songwriter stuff – singing, playing guitar, stuff like that. I’d love to be able to do more of that. I might try to record some of it at some point. Once I feel comfortable – I’ll for sure let people know. And I have some other jazzy kind of oriented things that I would love to get happening. I’m happy that Justin Ray has decided to move to New York so I have a little project with him in mind. Kind of a larger – not a big band, but a couple of horns … I’ve also been writing some kind of country-inspired jazz – sort of country-jazz …

You’ve got a lot of ideas going on there then …
Yeah, yeah. I have a lot of projects … and I have a couple of things for each one and it kind of incenses me. I kind of jam with it and shine it off and it kind of becomes clear to me. I try not to stress out about it too much anymore and just kind of reveal stuff at the right time … try to be myself at artistic things.

You’ve taught at University level previously – what did you teach and do you still teach nowadays?
Not …I haven’t really been teaching since I’ve been on the road – I haven’t really had any time. But yeah, I taught pretty consistently – private lessons, since I was 17. I was teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, before I moved to New York, for one year – I was a technical professor and I taught some jazz improv also of course, and it was great. It was a really great job and great people but I wanted to be in New York. I was 27, 28 … it was a great job to have as a 27-year old, but at the same time – it’s the kind of job where I can see, 20 years down the road, going by like that, and really regretting not going to New York so I decided that was the time to do it.

I know this isn’t strictly correct because I’ve asked Justin [Ray] this already but … together with Justin, I understand you were one of the mentors on the Young Razzcals Jazz Project? How did you become involved as a mentor and what did that entail?
Yeah, that doesn’t really exist and hasn’t for like 10 years or something – probably on the Internet somewhere! … It was a group of … kind of a convoluted story but at some point we were some of the better, older players that were part of – this guy that sort of started a Young Razzcal’s Project thing. You know I think they had us guest on one of the CDs and being a mentor just meant we were some of the better, younger players from Albuquerque – but we were also older than all the other kids so that put us in that status I guess.

What kind of things did you do – did you tutor them?
With them … really nothing. I was asked to guest on the CD. The guy who runs the thing used to lead a jam session that we used to go to pretty regularly. Early on he was really open when we didn’t know a whole lot – letting us try and learn a lot of things … and for that I’m really thankful but as far as this goes it’s a thing we didn’t really have a whole lot of involvement with. You know, I’m not going to go as far as saying that he’s just including us for some sort of gain of his but … this was listed before we were anybody. I mean this is old … I mean, we were just some players that were involved but you probably mentioned the list is really big. Basically it’s just the professional musicians from the area that were kind of loosely involved with these kids at one point or another and the kids now are probably 25 or so it’s sort of a dated thing.

So yourself and Justin both grew up in Alburquerque. When did you first cross paths?
Aha, yeah. I guess probably when I was a junior he was a sophomore, I feel like? I’m not sure – he’ll probably know better … something like that. But we knew each other at least a couple of years in high school. We went to different high schools and I’m one year older than him. He and some other close friends of ours – you get together to all play jazz, those sorts of things. You get to play together in those situations and like I said, those jam sessions you get to play a lot together.

What do you consider to be your proudest achievement to date?
Musical or personal or period?

All of those?
Well, I guess getting my wife to marry me probably!

Aw, that’s so sweet!
(*Rob laughs!*)

What are your thoughts and feelings to the fact that fans are coming to see and appreciate the band as much as they are coming to see Michael?
Well, that would surprise me if that were true!

It IS true! It’s not just me – believe me. People that I’ve spoken to … for example, in Germany – we were talking to some fans there and I asked who they had come to see? … and in a lot of cases, the first response wasn’t Michael. Several people said band members’ names …
Oh, wow! Well, it’s very flattering of course. It’s just great to be able to have the opportunity to meet this many people, on a regular basis. If it wouldn’t have to be like that, Michael wouldn’t have to introduce us or say anything … but I think it helps him too, hopefully … it’s a circle … if people like the band and feel more connected to Michael through that then that’s great. But it’s a different situation because it’s not even “Michael Bublé and his Band” – it’s just “Michael Bublé” – you know what I mean?

Right …
But we’re there and he NEVER treats us like that, ever! I’m never saying that. But at the same time that’s what the gig is and that’s what I’m most concerned about – just making him sound and look great. But you know it’s very flattering – it’s always surprising when people always say, “I bet you hear it all the time, but you guys sound great!” – We do hear it occasionally, but I wouldn’t say we hear it all the time, so it’s always great to hear. I mean, we’re trying really hard, so it’s nice.

I mean, for me personally, I think it was in November last year [2005] that I first started coming to see multiple concerts, you know …
Yeah.

… and it was initially a case of … Michael, but then for some reason – I don’t know – just coming to see the concerts and everything – just the LIVE experience, you know … and then I started to appreciate the band more and more, you know? Every single solo … and just musically, your own music, what you guys are about and stuff like that so without that I don’t think I would ever have started listening to … like Brad Mehldau or Wynton Marsalis, or other things like that …
Well, it’s a really special group of guys, that’s for sure. I mean, they’re really super talented – I’m working with some of the best players – seriously! People would say that, whoever we were, but there really are some amazing musicians up there. That makes touring easier for sure!

Last question …
OK.

Finally, do you have a message for your fans?
For my own fans? Well, besides “thank you very much”. You know, I hope that they are able to stay interested in what I do because it’s hard – you don’t necessarily have the machine to keep things really happening and exciting and new. You know, I think a lot of times when it looks like there’s not a whole lot happening on my website maybe people are like, “OK. He’s not doing anything!” … and they forget … and that’s just the way it is. It’s hard to maintain people save if Michael stays on the road – I mean he is doing things but even if he weren’t the website makes it look likes there’s constantly things happening. You know musically, hopefully if they like the music they’ll continue to remember. I just love to be able to have my music be heard I guess but I appreciate everything and it’s really a lot of fun!



Audio Clips / Interviews featuring Rob Wilkerson


Rob Wilkerson Photo Gallery


           Rob Wilkerson - London, England (24th July, 2008)             Rob Wilkerson - London, England (24th July, 2008)

 

          Rob Wilkerson - Cardiff, Wales (22nd July, 2008)         Rob Wilkerson - Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA (1st July, 2006)

 

           Rob Wilkerson - Kettering, Ohio, USA (29th June, 2006)          Rob Wilkerson - Kettering, Ohio, USA (29th June, 2006)

 

           Rob Wilkerson - Hamburg, Germany (28th May, 2006)          Rob Wilkerson - Hamburg, Germany (28th May, 2006)

 

        Rob Wilkerson - Hamburg, Germany (28th May, 2006)           Rob Wilkerson - Paris, France (22nd May, 2006)

 

                                       Rob Wilkerson - Paris, France (22nd May, 2006)