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David Robaire

David Robaire has always been one of those guys whom people trust and rely on. His unique skill set of intelligence, empathy and wit allows him to befriend and earn the respect of everyone whom he meets, from fellow musicians to students, from businessmen to customers and celebrities. The undeniable aptitude Robaire has as a jazz bassist has transferred well in his expanding role in the music world, serving since 2017 as the Manager of Music for Sam First, the newest jazz-only performance establishment in the Southland. As the booker of one of Los Angeles’ rare true jazz nightspots, Robaire has become somewhat of a gatekeeper of the latest happenings setting his sights on bringing untapped potential to fruition. Robaire is now steering Sam First’s newest project, a record label formed by the club’s owner, Paul Solomon. A slate of new records are in the works, and with Robaire at the helm, the creative futures of jazz and improvised music look bright.

A native of Southern California, David Robaire showed immense promise as a young jazz bassist, leaving Los Angeles after high school to attend the vaunted jazz program at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York, where he would meet and play with now-household names in the jazz world: Gilad Hekselman, Marcus Gilmore, Mike Moreno, Dayna Stephens, Will Vinson, Jacky Terrasson, Edward Simon, and Yotam Silberstein to name a few. After a successful undergraduate college experience, Robaire returned to Los Angeles, where he quickly became a known quantity in the local jazz scene, playing with West Coast artists like Larry Goldings, Billy Childs, Ben Wendel, and Josh Nelson. He currently plays and tours with singer Jane Monheit, as part of her West Coast quintet. Robaire continued his education in California, first at the innovative California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), and then at UCLA as part of the elite Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (now renamed the Herbie Hancock Institute). It was through the Monk Institute that Robaire got a chance to play on a daily basis with some of the best young jazz players in the world, a group that comprised alto saxophonist and keyboardist Josh Johnson, trumpeter Mike Cottone, trombonist Eric Miller, vibraphonist Diego Urbano, pianist Miro Sprague, and drummer Jonathan Pinson.

Through Robaire’s stewardship, these players went on to form their own professional working band, Holophonor, releasing two wonderful CDs to date, with a third release on the way.

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9
Album Review

Justin Kauflin Trio: Live at Sam First

Read "Live at Sam First" reviewed by Jim Worsley


New world modernization meets old world ideals at Sam First jazz club in Los Angeles. In just a few short years Sam First has built a solid reputation with both jazz artists and aficionados. Among its many qualities are the acoustics. In 2019, Peter Erskine, George Garzone, Alan Pasqua, and Darek Oles recorded their brilliant 3 Nights in L.A. at Sam First. At that point it was clear they had something special going on at Sam First. Starting up Sam ...

8
Album Review

Max Haymer: Whirlwind: Live at Sam First

Read "Whirlwind: Live at Sam First" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Los Angeles pianist and composer Max Haymer has been a busy man this past decade, touring as a longtime member of Arturo Sandoval's band, leading his own group and performing as an accompanist to singer Jane Monheit. Accordingly, Whirlwind: Live at Sam First is Haymer's first album since Pickpocket Witness (CD Baby, 2008) twelve years ago. Recorded live in June, 2019 at the Sam First club near the LA airport, the music is swinging, powerful and highly energetic.

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Concerts

Jul 6 Sat

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Recorda Me:...

Self Produced
2024

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Live at Sam First

Sam First Records
2022

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Whirlwind: Live at...

Emerald City Records
2020

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Isotope

From: Recorda Me: Remembering Joe...
By David Robaire

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