Bob Baader -- Keyboards, Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Scoring



Bob Baader

music has been the central force in Bob’s life since 1969 when, at the age of 2, he climbed on to the piano bench in his house and started hitting the keys when his dad left the piano open. This would be the start of a life-long passion, as he would begin formal piano lessons at age 5 under Sara Hanno in Hazel Crest, Illinois. It wasn’t long before Bob discovered that once his piano skills had been mastered, it was the perfect base to go on and learn as many instruments as possible. At age 11, Bob began lessons in the French horn, which was his first experience playing a brass instrument. He would go on to learn all the brass instruments including French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and euphonium.

In 1981 Bob began his freshman year at Marian Catholic High School which, as fate would have it, has always been known for its outstanding marching and symphonic bands, regularly winning state and national competitions under the direction of Greg Bimm. Being a part of Marian’s band and studying under Greg Bimm gave Bob the foundation and finely tuned skills to put together a band of his own in 1982 while just a sophomore in high school. Bob has maintained the spirit of that band to this very day. The 95th Street Band regularly performs at numerous local and regional venues and features a 5-piece brass section, with Bob taking the spotlight on keyboards and vocals.

After graduating from Marian, Bob moved on to South Suburban Community College where he honed his skills in jazz music under saxophonist Don Kramer. Bob performed with ensembles at South Suburban on keyboards, voice, euphonium, tuba, French horn and trombone. After earning his Associates’ Degree he moved on to Governor’s State University where he continued his studies under Dr. Richard McCreary who mentored Bob in arranging music for combos, jazz bands and orchestras. This would prove to be yet another level of musical growth for Bob, who earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1994 and completed his Master’s Degree in 1996 with a focus on vocal performance. He was the last graduate of the venerable Governor’s State University Music Program. During that time he was the keyboardist in the Mystics who were a 70's Soul Act with renewed interest in their chart hit "That's The Kind Of Love". The band had a short-lived resurgence, but was fun nonetheless.

After graduation from Governor’s State Bob decided it was time to branch out on his own. While still having the desire to perform orchestral music in addition to the R&B and Soul style played by The 95th Street Band, he performed with the Orland Park Community Band, playing the tuba during the 2001/2002 Season. Later that year, Bob expanded his musical endeavors once again when he embarked upon marketing his music arrangements on the Internet, some of which had been written by hand 20 years earlier when he had first experimented with arranging and orchestrating music. His on-line catalog is now approaching 500 songs and has supplied sheet music for nearly 200 bands in 16 countries.

Bob will be forever thankful that his parents noticed their toddler’s interest in the sounds pounded out on their piano and raised him in an environment that nurtured his enthusiasm for music.

Bob Baader plays a Yamaha acoustic guitar and a Yamaha P-series piano.