Many people choose music, but for others music chooses them. Rob began playing the electric guitar at age 11, learning note-for-note solos of every Metallica and Guns ‘N Roses tune he could find. He moved from metal to jazz when he enrolled in his school’s jazz ensemble. Here he was exposed to an array of new artists, rhythms, chords, and most importantly, the beauty of improvisation. Noticing his natural talent for the instrument, guitar virtuoso Ted Reece took Rob on as a private student. Reece introduced him to the acoustic guitar while helping him develop his ear and strengthen his playing. After high school Rob attended Trinity University in San Antonio. Throughout college, Rob maintained music only as a hobby and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Spanish.
His academic aspirations suddenly halted one evening in New York City when it dawned on him he also wanted to sing. Having never sung a note in his life, Rob began spending six to eight hours a day, developing his voice and songwriting skills. With a unique voice, an incredible guitar style, and a handful of original tunes, Rob stormed onto Denver’s local music scene, leaving audiences impressed. Within a mere week of open stages, he was offered his first gig at Arvada’s D-Note. Shortly thereafter, he was playing to full crowds at Boulder's legendary Fox Theatre and in March 2007 they invited Rob as the main support for their sold-out 15th anniversary show with The John Butler Trio. Over the past three years, Rob has toured across the country supporting long time Dave Matthews collaborator, Tim Reynolds and British band, Back Door Slam. Rob has performed for former President Bill Clinton, Senators Ken Salazar and Bob Hernandez, and Congressman John Salazar and to crowds at The Democratic National Convention in August 2008. His music has been in rotation on Sirius Channel 30: The Coffee House, 93.3 KTCL, 102.3 KCUV and 99.5 The Mountain, and 101.5 The Independent Alternative. 97.3 KBCO has invited Rob to perform in its world renowned Studio C twice.
In his three years on the music scene, Rob has shared the stage with many amazing and talented artists including: Colin Hay, Matthew Moon, Raul Midon, Reed Foehl, The Wood Brothers, Back Door Slam, Katie Herzig, Kevin Mileski, Jim Bianco, Rebecca Folsom, Kate Nash, Nina Storey, Kinetix, Leon Russell, Gregory Alan Isakov, Jessica Sonner, Lucy Kaplansky, Tim Reynolds, Jonah Werner, Vonnegut, The John Butler Trio,
Dan Craig, Trace Bundy, Aaron Espe, and The Flobots.
A Rob Drabkin show can range from a small club, him on stage solo with his Martin, to a venue such as Boulder’s Fox Theatre packed with 300 people, him on stage with a full band, complete with bass, drum kit, keys, tenor saxophone, cellos, a violin, and the occasional accordion. Regardless of the venue or fellow performers, Rob can hold an audience captive, playing a variety of songs from sappy ballads to drinking songs, tossed together with the occasional cover that ranges from Disney to Paul Simon to Nelly. Any Rob Drabkin show is entertaining and his career consistently advances as he gains fans and recognition wherever he plays.
Rob recently released a full band studio album recorded in late 2008.
“What sets Drabkin apart is his sizable talent as both a singer and guitarist. Lots of people can sing, and lots of people can play guitar, but very few people can blow an audience away with both at the same time. Those that can are now household names - John Mayer, Damien Rice, Dave Matthews. Drabkin is on this level. His crisp voice smoothly blankets his audience with an attentive comfort, and his ability to simultaneously execute complicated guitar riffs is enough to impress the most seasoned musician.“
- Jesse Walker of The Flobots, Colorado Music Buzz - View Website
“Rob, I would like to buy one of your CDs”
- Colin Hay (Men At Work) 5/26/2007
“The surprise of the night was the middle act, Denver’s Rob Drabkin. Taking the stage armed with an acoustic guitar, a djembe (small acoustic drum) player and an afro that would have made a Will It Go Round In Circles-era Billy Preston proud, Drabkin lit into the first of many short stories told with guitar and drum....His intricate finger picking method and character driven songs got our attention. With a voice and song structure not too far from Dave Matthews, just this side of Jack Johnson, Drabkin won me over...By the end of his set, I was a fan, bringing his cd home for closer inspection.“
- A.J. Crandall, KINK FM Radio - View Article
“Drabkin's self-titled album has just the right 'sweet things' that push emerging artists into the national scene. The native Coloradan has climbed the proverbial singer/songwriter ladder to the next level. And it's pretty damn impressive...Drabkin houses a honeyed, powerful voice...His melodic finger-picking and good balance of tunes ranging from rhythm guitar to folksy ditties displays his near-perfect guitar skills...He throws his all at this album, and it shows. If Drabkin keeps this up, he will shoot out of the local scene faster than the Fray.“
-Colorado Daily (Boulder, CO) - View Website
“Like Dave Matthews, Damien Rice, and/or Jack Johnson? Turn up those speakers and check out Rob Drabkin - an unbelievably talented guitarist and songwriter. Don't like those artists mentioned? Check out Rob anyway, he's worth it. Already a success in Denver, Rob has gigged with Tim Reynolds and was recently invited to play for former president Bill Clinton. Amie Street fans took to Rob's music immediately, and within 48 hours of posting his music, Rob's songs were bought almost 100 times, and REC'd 10 times.”
- David Farber, founder of Amie Street - View Article
“Playing to a sold-out crowd is one thing. But playing to a sold-out crowd on your birthday is something entirely different. Saturday was good to Rob Drabkin, who sold out the Soiled Dove Underground and he moved more than 300 tickets as the headliner…”
- Brian Carney, The Denver Post - View Article
“Drabkin did it again…The five-song E.P. is a pleasant release to tide fans over for a while...The Denver resident has been exploding in the local scene for the past couple of years. His afro, coupled with his guitar and serene voice, is all the singer/songwriter really needs to make our town go round.”
-Chisty Fantz, The Colorado Daily - View Website
“Rob’s CD has a warm vocal style, loads o’ sincerity, and some really wonderful arrangements…He's both a nimble-fingered guitarist and beyond serviceable as a vocalist...All in all, Drabkin put together a fantastic evening.”
- Westword Magazine - View Website
“Rob doesn't leave me indifferent - far from it. Briefly, you will love the guitar. Rob Drabkin is made for your ears.“
-Eric Boisson, ericnroll.com - View Article
“Denver singer/songwriter Rob Drabkin was invited not too long ago to perform at a fund-raiser hosted by Beth Strickland, wife of former Colorado U.S. Attorney Tom Strickland. Attending the fund-raiser at the Strickland's house in Denver was none other than President Bill Clinton. 'Everyone was talking to him about politics,' explained Drabkin. 'I went up to him and talked about saxophones for 10 minutes.' That sums up Colorado native Rob Drabkin - always about music.“
- Peter Marcus, The Denver Daily News - View Website
“With insightful lyrics; a unique guitar sound that incorporates jazz, folk and even metal; and a distinctive, afro-styled head of hair, Rob Drabkin has become one of Colorado’s most recognizable singer-songwriters of recent vintage. His high-profile gigs include opening slots for the likes of Leon Russell, Colin Hay and Tim Reynolds, a repertoire that’s right in line with Drabkin’s earnest and musically adept style.”
- Ira Brooker, MadeLoud - View Article
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