J. R. SHIRAKBARI

J. R.  SHIRAKBARI is a musical Renaissance Man. A true jack-of-all-trades and master of many, indeed, he is at equal ease playing Debussy on the piano or rocking a B-3 organ, orchestrating and conducting for a symphony orchestra or thrashing a Les Paul through a Marshall, programming a drum beat or grooving on an electric bass.

Behind the glass, Rob can guide an artist with the wisdom of a seasoned producer or roll up his sleeves and engineer a session alongside the best technicians. He has produced and recorded with a wide range of artists and projects.

As a producer, composer and arranger, Rob’s most recent project is “Into Colour” by Atlantic Records UK artist, RUMER. “Into Colour” debuted at #12 in the UK charts. Rob co-wrote all but one song on the record, and played many of the instruments.

Rob is also the Music Director for pop/soul icon, DIONNE WARWICK, and for years Rob was the keyboardist, arranger and music director for legendary composer, BURT BACHARACH. Rob has been closely associated with Bacharach and Warwick since the mid-1980s.

Rob’s songs have been in feature films and used for the development of new artists. Rob had an early hand in the career development of Leann Rimes (Curb Records), Mikaila (Island Def Jam) and Kristy Lee Cook (Arista). Working with young artists in need of development is one of Rob’s passions.

Rob has recorded and/or performed with such legendary artists as Duffy, Adele, Elvis Costello, Leann Rimes, Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, Whitney Houston, Chrissie Hynde, Ray Charles, Faith Hill, Sir Cliff Richard, Wynonna, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Alexandra Burke, Chris Botti, Rufus Wainwright, Joe McElderry, Garth Brooks, Jamie Cullum, Michael Bublé, Peabo Bryson, ‘N Sync, Clay Aiken, Rubben Studdard, Kristy Lee Cook, Boy George, Caro Emerald, Ivan Lins, Gladys Knight, Frank Sinatra, Queen Latifah, David Foster, Gloria Estefan, Barry Manilow, Chaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper, Ben Folds, Olivia Newton-John, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Jeffrey Osborne, David Sanborn, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, George Duke, Ronald Isley and a host of others.

Rob served as one of three Musical Directors for the 72nd Academy Awards© (along with Don Was and Burt Bacharach). Rob wrote the arrangements and conducted the pit orchestra for the four-hour awards show. As well, Rob played keyboards in the on-camera band that featured Ray Charles, Garth Brooks, Queen Latifah, Faith Hill, Dionne Warwick and Isaac Hayes in a tribute to Oscar-winning songs.