Volume 8, January 2017
Revolution in Action: A Motivic Analysis of "Ghosts: First Variation" As Performed by Gary Peacock

by Robert Sabin, Ph.D.

About the Author

Robert Sabin is an active bassist, composer, writer, and educator specializing in jazz and contemporary improvised music. He has appeared alongside such artists as Oliver Lake, John Yao-17, Jean-Michel Pilc, Peter Bernstein, Dave Pietro, Dick Oatts, Donny McCaslin, Matt Panayides, 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, 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's third recording, "Humanity Part II" is currently out on the Ranula Music label.

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.

As an educator, Sabin serves on the Faculty of CUNY in New York City/Hunter College High School, Manhattan School of Music Precollege, and was a founder and director of the Jazz Program at the New York Summer Music Festival and Institute. He has also served on the faculty of New York University, Teachers College/Columbia University, and the Hartwick College Summer Music Festival. He has served as a guest lecturer of theory and ear training at City College, and conducted clinics for the Manhattan School of Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and has presented at the International Society of Music Educators biannual conference. He is a New York Pops Teaching Artist, serving as clinician, private instructor, and conductor for high school and college ensembles across New York City.