Following in musical footsteps of his dad Rev. Robert Reason, Sr., a trombonist who played many local venues, Rob, Jr. took up the guitar at an early age.
His first band was the R&B group The Black Notes circa 1972-77.
Photo courtesy of Rob Reason.
Rob studied jazz at Peabody, and with Mark Whitfield in New York. In 1977 he formed the Unit 1 Jazz Group. This group existed for almost 20 years with various members including Larry McCoy (sax –later with Gerrell, Retro-Rockets), Danny Huntley (bass), James ‘JB’ Brown (drums), Stafford Levy (drums), Janet Taylor (vocals), Monica Jackson (vocals)… Unit 1 performed at Whitten’s Lounge, Papa’s Place, Nick’s Place, My Sister’s Place, among others.
In 1995 Rob formed the Rob Reason Jazz Group. The original lineup featured Rob on guitar, with Tony Watford (bass), Charles Smith (sax), and Ernest Williams (drums). This group continued with various members and as of this writing (July 2012) featured Dyra Wolf (vocals, keyboards), Warren Christian (bass), Charles Smith (sax), and Mark St. Pierre (drums). The Rob Reason Jazz group performed Cibo’s, City View Lounge, Tremont Hotel, Inner Harbor Marriott, Side Pockets, Brick House, Lexington Market, Village of Cross Keys Jazz Fest… The group opened for Najee at African Fest in 2010. Rob released a solo jazz CD in 2002.
2002(CD) Can You Come Over?
