We had the good fortune of connecting with Robert Kyle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Robert, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve been passionate about playing & creating music for almost as long as I can remember. I never really wanted to do anything else, career wise.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I play the saxophone, flute & percussion, and I LOVE to play, to write and to record music! As a freelance musician, I perform OFTEN all over the greater southern California area, both with my own groups and with a LONG list of other musicians/groups. You can visit my website to find out about upcoming concert & club appearances, as well as to listen to/purchase my music. I have 10 cds out under my own name on my “Dark Delishious Music” label. They range from Brazilian & Afro-Cuban, to straight-ahead Jazz and standards to contemporary Jazz. I LOVE to play ALL kinds of music, because I LOVE all kinds of music! I’ve been a professional musician for over 45 years. Any success’s that I’ve had, are because SO MANY people have been kind enough to hire me to play for them, both live and in the studios. And many others have given my own projects a chance to shine as well. I’ve also worked very hard at it, and tried my best to maintain good relationships with EVERYONE I that come into contact with. The music part is almost always fun and often challenging, which keeps you humble. The business part, the travel, the driving, the relentless self-promotion and hustle, can be brutal & exhausting, but I feel is also necessary. One of my strengths is that I can be a bit of a Chameleon. Part of the fun (and the challenge) is to approach each musical situation with the attitude & intention of “What can I bring to this project (concert and/or recording) that will help to lift it up and help everyone to shine their brightest?” It’s NEVER about me and what I do, but what is this collection of musicians/singers/artists trying to present, and how can I add to that?” What I feel I bring to my own projects, is the ability to cross MANY musical borders, and always bring something soulful, passionate, personal & interesting. Also, the older that I get, the more I ONLY want to work with people/musicians that I love, both personally & musically, and who inspire me…

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It would likely take more space than you’re allowing for me to give thanks to all of the people that have helped me along my journey, but I’d like to start with my parents and my family, who have always been so supportive and encouraging. I’m also very grateful for the wonderful singers/musicians/bandleaders that I’ve had the good fortune to make music with. There are far TOO many to mention, but a few of the who have inspired me, nurtured my soul, and sustained me throughout my career, have been Paris Red, Rick Joswick, Barry Fasman, Kirkman Ridd & Carol Wong, Linda Hopkins, Betty Bryant, Hussain Jiffry, Billy Mitchell, Tony Guerrero, Leslie Paula & Miguel Gutierrez, Alessa, Kenny Sara, Kleber Jorge, Téka, Bobby Zee & Zoe, Teka, Marcus Gerakos, Stephan Oberhoff and Riner Scivally to name just a few. I’m also extremely thankful to all of my friends and fans who continue to support the music that I make for SO many years. Lastly, it’s important for me to give thanks to my teachers/mentors, of which there were/are many, who have shared their wisdom and inspiration. Phil Sobel, Bill Green & Plas Johnson, to name a few…

Website: www.robertkyle.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertkylemusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertkylemusic

Image Credits
Photos by Ron Luxemburg, Martin Cohen, Bob Barry, Schorbach Photography, Valerie Huffman-Herring

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