Robert Sabin

Robert Sabin is a bassist, composer, author, and educator specializing in jazz and contemporary improvised music. He has appeared alongside such artists as Oliver Lake, John Yao-17, Nadje Noordhuis, Jean-Michel Pilc, Peter Bernstein, Dave Pietro, Dick Oatts, Donny McCaslin, Matt Panayides, Little Johnny Rivero, Rich Perry, Rich Shemaria, Mark Stanley, Ingrid Jensen, JC Sanford Orchestra, Luis Bonilla, John Riley, Dee Alexander, Aaron Johnson, Kenny Werner, Bruce Arnold, Tony Moreno, Combo Nuvo, Brian Lynch, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Killer Ray Appleton, Victor Lewis, Clarence Penn, Chico O’Farril, Billy Taylor, Vince Mendoza, Roland Hanna, Giacomo Gates, Mellisa Hamilton, Robin Aleman, Sandra Bernhard, Bob Mintzer, Dennis Charles, and Ernie Watts. He was awarded Second Place in both the 2001 and 2003 International Society of Bassist’s Jazz Competitions. Sabin released his third recording, “Humanity Part II” in 2015.

Sabin wrote his Ph.D. dissertation “Gary Peacock: Analysis of Progressive Double Bass 1963-1965” while studying with Peacock from 2009-2014. He is one of the world’s leading experts on the bassist and of the early 1960s New York City Avant-Garde. He has presented workshops and scholarly work at the International Society for Music Education, International Society of Bassist’s annual conference, and the annual conference for the Jazz Education Network. Additionaly, Sabin has had work published by the Online Journal of Double Bass Research.

As an educator, Sabin serves on the Faculty of City University of New York and served for over a decade as the Director of the Jazz Program at the New York Summer Music Festival and Institute. He has served on the faculty of New York University, Teachers College/Columbia University, and the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival. Sabin has served as a guest lecturer of theory and ear training at City College in New York City and is a New York Pops Teaching Artist where he serves as clinician, private instructor, and conductor for high school and college ensembles across the North East.

Manhattan School of Music Precollege Faculty since 2011.