Biography
Rob Burger, residing in Portland, Oregon, works as a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger. In the mid-1990s, he helped establish the well-regarded chamber jazz ensemble Tin Hat Trio, where accordion and keyboards formed his primary contributions. Film scoring for both documentaries and features occupied his efforts starting in the 2000s, alongside issuing a pair of recordings via John Zorn's Tzadik imprint. Numerous projects feature his performances, among them efforts from Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams, Tracy Chapman, and Iron & Wine. Drawing from Krautrock alongside ambient sounds, his 2019 full-length The Grid marked his third solo outing. Dreamy minimal compositions filled Marching with Feathers, which surfaced in 2022.
New York native Burger took up piano during childhood under the tutelage of pianist Jeffrey Marcus. Classical studies took him to Juilliard, while the University of Massachusetts provided opportunities to delve into improvisational approaches alongside Max Roach, Archie Shepp, and Yusef Lateef. His instrumental palette grew to encompass Hammond organ, older models such as the Optigan and Chamberlin, toy pianos, contemporary keyboards, plus accordion. Relocation to the Bay Area led to collaborations spanning Tipsy, Susana Baca, and Mix Master Mike, in addition to joining the Oranj Symphonette and Old Joe Clarks under Mark Orton. Tin Hat Trio emerged in the late 1990s through his partnership with Orton on guitar and violinist Carla Kihlstedt. Structure meets improvisation and contemporary classical elements within the trio's output, incorporating folk, global, and jazz influences. Angel Records presented their initial recording, Memory Is an Elephant, at the start of 1999, with Helium arriving in spring 2000 and featuring Tom Waits.
Return to New York occurred in 2001, at which time close ties with John Zorn developed through numerous appearances on his projects. Tzadik's Radical Jewish Culture series included Burger's debut solo effort, Lost Photograph, from 2002. Rodeo Eroded (2002) and Book of Silk (2004) from Tin Hat Trio also involved him, the former containing a Willie Nelson vocal, prior to his departure as the ensemble grew into a quintet and adopted the Tin Hat name.
Arranging and music direction for Hal Willner productions formed another role, concurrent with initial soundtrack work. City of Strangers, a 2009 collection of his cinematic compositions, featured contributions from Marc Ribot and Eyvind Kang. Film and commercial scoring persisted through the 2010s along with session appearances for Beth Orton, Bob Weir, Rosanne Cash, and additional acts. Western Vinyl put out The Grid in 2019 as Burger's third solo album, a contemplative fusion of modern classical with electronic elements that included Laurie Anderson. Prophecy No. 15, a short film from 2021, received his score. Piano-centered reflections and rhythm-oriented tracks comprised his fourth album, Marching with Feathers, released in 2022.
New York native Burger took up piano during childhood under the tutelage of pianist Jeffrey Marcus. Classical studies took him to Juilliard, while the University of Massachusetts provided opportunities to delve into improvisational approaches alongside Max Roach, Archie Shepp, and Yusef Lateef. His instrumental palette grew to encompass Hammond organ, older models such as the Optigan and Chamberlin, toy pianos, contemporary keyboards, plus accordion. Relocation to the Bay Area led to collaborations spanning Tipsy, Susana Baca, and Mix Master Mike, in addition to joining the Oranj Symphonette and Old Joe Clarks under Mark Orton. Tin Hat Trio emerged in the late 1990s through his partnership with Orton on guitar and violinist Carla Kihlstedt. Structure meets improvisation and contemporary classical elements within the trio's output, incorporating folk, global, and jazz influences. Angel Records presented their initial recording, Memory Is an Elephant, at the start of 1999, with Helium arriving in spring 2000 and featuring Tom Waits.
Return to New York occurred in 2001, at which time close ties with John Zorn developed through numerous appearances on his projects. Tzadik's Radical Jewish Culture series included Burger's debut solo effort, Lost Photograph, from 2002. Rodeo Eroded (2002) and Book of Silk (2004) from Tin Hat Trio also involved him, the former containing a Willie Nelson vocal, prior to his departure as the ensemble grew into a quintet and adopted the Tin Hat name.
Arranging and music direction for Hal Willner productions formed another role, concurrent with initial soundtrack work. City of Strangers, a 2009 collection of his cinematic compositions, featured contributions from Marc Ribot and Eyvind Kang. Film and commercial scoring persisted through the 2010s along with session appearances for Beth Orton, Bob Weir, Rosanne Cash, and additional acts. Western Vinyl put out The Grid in 2019 as Burger's third solo album, a contemplative fusion of modern classical with electronic elements that included Laurie Anderson. Prophecy No. 15, a short film from 2021, received his score. Piano-centered reflections and rhythm-oriented tracks comprised his fourth album, Marching with Feathers, released in 2022.
Albums
Valley People
2026
Marching with Feathers
2022
A Robin Egg
2022
Night Feet
2022
Hotel for Saints
2021
The Grid
2019
City of Strangers
2009
Lost Photograph
2002
Singles
