Rob Dixon

Rob Dixon

(February 20, 1968 - Present)

Born in Baltimore, MD, and grew up in Atlanta, GA where he got serious about music. Rob studied privately under Atlanta Symphony Orchestra clarinetist and alto saxophonist, Charles Bradley who became his mentor.

Musician and jazz educator Rob Dixon is a graduate of Hampton University, and also attended the Jacobs School of Music as a student of David Baker. He moved to New York City in the late 1990s, where he worked with legendary artists such as the Count Basie Big Band, Tony Bennett, Slide Hampton, Dakota Staton, the Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Rufus Reed, Jonah Jones, Weldon Irving, and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

After moving to Indianapolis in 2003, Dixon has continued to work with renowned artists like Derrick Gardner & The Jazz Prophets, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the Headhunters, drummer Mike Clark, and guitarists Dave Stryker and Charlie Hunter.

Dixon recorded an album as a leader that was produced by 7 string guitar virtuoso Charlie Hunter. The album features Charlie Hunter on guitar and Mike Clark on Drums with Ernest Stuart on Trombone guesting on four songs. The album is titled “Coast to Crossroads” and will be nationally released in July 2018.

In August 2018 Mike Clark’s Indigo Blue band (featuring bassist Christian McBride, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, Randy Brecker, pianist Antonio Farao and Rob Dixon ) will release a live album recorded at the Iridium jazz club in NYC in 2013. The album will feature five original compositions penned by Dixon.

In 2005 Rob Dixon founded Triology, which has included bassist Brandon Meeks, keyboardist Steven Jones, and drummer Richard “Sleepy” Floyd. Additionally in 2012, Dixon founded the Indianapolis Jazz Collective, an ensemble that has recorded an album titled “Jazz on Canvas” and includes pianist Steve Allee, bassist Nick Tucker, Trumpeter Marlin McKay, and drummer Kenny Phelps. The Indianapolis Jazz Collective has featured guest artists such as vibraphonist Stefon Harris, Alto Saxophonist Bobby Watson, and Trumpeter Randy Brecker.

Rob Dixon is also an adjunct professor at IUPUI and Earlham College and is the Artistic Director for Indy Jazz Fest. He mentors the Jazz Futures, an Indianapolis Jazz Foundation-sponsored ensemble comprised of student musicians from various high schools throughout the Indianapolis metropolitan area.

In Bloomington, Rob Dixon joined David Brent Johnson for a conversation in the WFIU studios. Rob plays regularly at The Jazz Kitchen, Chatterbox Jazz Club, Mousetrap Bar & Grill, and all around Indianapolis.