Robert Burke
MA (mus perf) –VCA, Dip Arts -VCA, AmusA
Head, Senior Lecturer, Jazz & Popular Music Performance Coordinator
Email: robert.burke@monash.edu
Phone: (03) 9905 1332
Fax: (03) 9905 3241
Location: Room 121, Performing Arts Centre, Building 68, Clayton Campus
Biography
Robert Burke has enjoyed a diverse and wide-ranging career as a performer, composer and educator in music. Although classically trained on the clarinet and saxophones, his main focus as a performer has been on jazz and popular rock, including eight years performing and composing with Kate Ceberano (including a top-ten Australian hit) and fifteen years with ARIA award-winning band The Black Sorrows. Rob has performed on and contributed compositions to over 100 CDs by groups ranging from pop acts such as John Farnham, Ice House, Real Life, Vika and Linda Bull, to contemporary jazz projects with leading artists including Tony Gould, Tony Floyd, Doug De Vries, Slava Gregorian, Geoff Hughes, Nick Haywood and Stephen Magnusson. Most recently, Rob released a duet album with Tony Gould titled Here (Jazzhead 2010), the third in a series of such collaborations.
Rob also performs live with many international and local jazz artists including Red Rodney, John Abercrombie, George Garzone, Tony Gould, Lula Galvao, Roberta Valente, Mirko Guerrini, Don Burrows, Stephen Magnusson, Geoff Hughes, Tony Floyd and Mike Nock. Rob has also toured extensively through Asia, Europe, the United States and locally, including as leader of his own projects. He has studied under influential and pioneering jazz musicians including the likes of Dave Liebman, George Garzone and George Coleman in New York
Rob has had extensive teaching experience, both as a private tutor and as a staff member of the Victorian College of the Arts between 1995 and 2001. In 2000 Rob was invited to conduct improvisation classes at Monash University’s School of Music - Conservatorium. Rob subsequently developed an autonomous jazz course for the School of Music and in 2003, was appointed Coordinator of Jazz and Popular Studies. This jazz course is now regarded as one of the leading courses for jazz education in Australia, offering both comprehensive practical training and strong academic qualifications, and providing students with exceptional learning and performance opportunities in Australia, Italy and the United States (New York).
Since 2007 Rob has focused on creating cultural and educational ties between Monash University in Australia and Brazil, by creating links with Unicamp University in Campinas and consulting with Brazilian funding agencies and other universities. Rob was artist-in-residence at Universidade Estadual de Campinas – Unicamp (Campinas), Musica de Scuola de Brasilia (Brasilia), and Souza de Lima School of Music (Sao Paulo) where he conducted workshops, lectures and musical performances. Rob is also leading efforts to build philanthropic support for the School of Music at Monash University, with a view to expanding the facilities and resources available to students.
Rob is Head of the School of Music and Coordinator of Jazz and Popular Studies.
‘A stunning jazz album that identifies Melbourne as a significant contributor of talent and inventive and pioneering jazz on the world stage. Beautifully recorded and presented. … This record is a collaboration of some of the most influential protagonists on the Melbourne scene and is undoubtedly a masterpiece.’ - Eddie Naran – Jazz on the Street.
‘An exciting tour of Melbourne. There are moments where you will get chills down your back’ 4.5* - The Age Green Guide. Melbourne, 28th July 2005.
‘There is a romance in the tracks that comes from an exploration of a stage of jazz which has pleasured many for a long time. While gentle… it is quietly persuasive of all the life, clarity and brilliance to be found in mainstream jazz. Emotional and relaxing.' Canberra Times, Canberra, 18 Aug 2003.
Website: http://www.jazzhead.com/cms-artists/rob-burke.phps
Grants and Prizes
2008 nominated for best composition APRA
2006 nominated for best composition MADC
2009 COALAR Grant
2 x Australia council grants
Vic Arts Grant
Boards and Advisory Panels
2011 – Bell Awards
2010 – Accreditation NMIT – Bachelor/Associate Degree of Music
2010 – Accreditation NMIT – Bachelor of Music Industry (Management)
2010 – Accreditation NMIT Bachelor of Music Industry (Sound Production)
2010 – Accreditation NMIT Bachelor of Music Industry (Song writing)
2009 – VCAA – VCE Music Advisory Panel. (For 2011)
2005/06 – Melbourne International Jazz festival
2003/04 – VCA Curriculum Advisory Panel
Books/Chapters
R. Burke/ S.Evans. The Oxford Handbook of Music Education. Chapter 7.8. Pathways to Learning and Teaching Indigenous and World Music Ensembles. (To be released 2011).
Recent Releases
A Tin Roof For The Rain (Robert Burke & Tony Gould)
Ears For Civil Engines (Various Artists)
Gateway (Robert Burke and Tony Gould)
Javabubbaboogaloo (Various Artists)
