Rob Mitchell

After studying his Masters degree, Rob has performed and toured with bands including Martha Reeves, Candi Staton, The Haggis Horns, Roy Wood, Tony Christie, The Craig Charles Fantasy Funk Band, The Brand New Heavies, Alexander O’Neal, Jaki Graham, Dominic Miller, The BBC Big Band, Dennis Rollins, Mike Gibbs, Ian Ballamy, Dave O’Higgins, Alan Barnes, Lisa Stansfield and Juliet Roberts, Rag n Bone Man, Illa J and Slum Village.

Rob continues to perform around the world and some of the most memorable performances include Proms in the Park 2013 with The Craig Charles Fantasy Funk band in front of 45k people and broadcast on the BBC, Glastonbury with Rag n Bone Man in front of 85k people and simulcast on BBC and BBC Radio 1, supporting the legendary Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings at ‘The Ritz’ in Manchester, supporting Mos Def aka Yasiin Bey at the O2 Leeds, and touring with Illa J and Slum Village. 

Rob has featured on many recordings including those by The BBC Big Band, Jaki Graham, Lisa Stansfield, Submotion Orchestra, The Haggis Horns, Slum Village and of course, Abstract Orchestra.

Abstract Orchestra

Over recent years Rob has channelled his energy into his group ‘Abstract Orchestra’, a big band that fuses jazz orchestration with hip-hop, where he is the composer/arranger/director and producer. The group has seen great success with their own material and with collaborations, such as the ‘2 Hands up’ by Young RJ, Megaran and Abstract Orchestra, reach number 3 in the US hip hop charts in 2020.

Festivals have included Glastonbury, Boomtown, Wonderfileds, Kendal Calling, Campsoul, Shambala, Secret Garden Party, Green Man, Latitude, BBC Proms in the Park, St Paul Jazz Festival (France), YO1 Festival, Freedom Festival, The Garden Festival (Croatia), Moor Fest, Lime Tree, Scarborough Jazz, LIMA Festival, Big City Jazz (Leeds), Wigan Jazz Festival, Vossa Jazz Festival (Norway), Manchester City Jazz

Rob has appeared on radio, television and has been interviewed for a number of publications including BBC Four, BBC Radio 2&3, BBC Radio 6, Saxophone & Clarinet Magazine and KVM Magazine, QWEST TV, Time Out London.
Rob is an award-wining teacher and has taught at Leeds Conservatoire for the past ten years. He is a Principal Lecturer on the BA Music (Jazz) course, tutoring in Jazz Composition and Arranging.

Discography:

Albums

• Young RJ, Megaran, Abstract Orchestra ‘2 Hands Up’ – Ne’Astra (2020) (Spotify) - reached no 3 in US hip-hop charts
• Various Artists ‘The Library Archive, Vol. 1’-  ATA records (2020) (Spotify)
• Malcolm Strachan ‘About Time’- Haggis Records (2020)
• The Haggis Horns ‘Stand Up for Love’. – Haggis Records (2020) (Spotify)
• The Sorcerers ‘In Search of the Lost City Of the Monkey God’ - ATA records (2020)
• Slum Village x Abstract Orchestra ‘Fantastic 2020 Vol. 2’ – Ne’Astra (2019)
• Slum Village x Abstract Orchestra ‘Fantastic 2020 Vol. 1’– Ne’Astra (2019)
• Abstract Orchestra ‘MADVILLAINY Instrumentals Vol 2.’ -  ATA records (2019)
• Abstract Orchestra ‘MADVILLAINY Instrumentals Vol 1.’ -  ATA records (2018)
• Abstract Orchestra ‘New Day’ ft. Illa J – ATA Records (2018)
• Lost Colours ‘Different Life (Abstract Orchestra Remix) – 61seconds Records (2018)
• The Magnificent Tape Band ‘The Subtle Art of Distraction’ – ATA Records (2018)
• Abstract Orchestra ‘Dilla.’ -  ATA records (2017)
• The Haggis Horns ‘One of These Days’ – Haggis Records (2017)
• Lisa Stansfield ‘Cant Dance (Snowboy Vintage Funk Remix) – 2017
• Paul Stone ‘Reprise of Swing’ – 2017
• The Haggis Horns ‘What Comes to Mind’ – Haggis Records (2015)
• ‘Hard Work No Pay’ – ATA Records (2015)
• The Sorcerers – ATA Records (2015)
• Juliet Roberts / Al Morrison Blues Experience ‘Regal Blues’ – (2012)
• Tommy Evans Orchestra ‘The Green Seagul’ – Jelly Mould Jazz (2012)
• Jaki Graham ‘For Sentimental Reasons’ – Cherry Red Records (2012)
• Submotion Orchestra ‘Finest Hour’ exceptional records - (2011)
• Lovely Laura ‘Off The Ground’ – Lovely Laura records (2011)
• The Haggis Horns ‘Keep on Moving’ – First Word (2010)
• Capri ‘Live At The Wardrobe’ – Capri Music/GLP (2008)
• Jacuzzi 500 EP – Jacuzzi 500 (2007)
• Brothers on The Slide ‘Try’ – Brothers on The Slide (2007)
• Capri ‘Boogie Man’ – Groove Laboratory Productions (2002)
  

Singles

• ‘Jealousy’ - Slum Village x Abstract Orchestra (Spotify)
• ‘Pray’ - Young RJ, Megaran, Abstract Orchestra, Daru Jones (Spotify)
• ‘Black Is Beautiful’ - Young RJ, Megaran, Abstract Orchestra, Daru Jones, Eric Roberson (Spotify)
• ‘Haggis Express’ - The Haggis Horns (Spotify)
• ‘Suzi Traffic’ - The Haggis Horns (Spotify)
• ‘Air’ ft MF DOOM – Abstract Orchestra– ATA Records (2019)
• ‘Fancy Clown’ – Abstract Orchestra – ATA Records (2018)
• ‘New Day’ ft Illa J - Abstract Orchestra – ATA Records (2018)