I got a chance to meet up with Bob Kirby, well known working musician in the Boston area.   He can sing, play the piano, the organ and his saxaphone playing has got to be, bar none,  top 10 in Boston.  I asked him a few questions and here’s what he had to say!

How long have you been playing, singing?

Playing saxophone professionally in wedding bands for 24 years
Over 800 wedding receptions (30-50 a year average), over 200 wedding ceremonies (15-20/year)

Can you remember any funny and or memorable  stories from past wedding’s you’ve played at that are worth sharing?

It can involve you or members of the wedding party.

Yes, but not fit for publication. Most of them are rather tragic. Once I had a trumpet player that started playing a processional in a different key than I was playing on the organ and didn’t switch over for about 8 excruciating bars. That was fun.

What advice could you  pass on to other aspiring musicians/singers out there who want to be good and be successful?

Find your niche and set yourself apart as someone unique that will create a Brand people will desire. Don’t let your worst performance let you down; keep striving forward and don’t look back.

What do you think set’s you apart from other musicians/ singers like yourself?  What are your strengths?

I have extensive experience performing both secular and sacred music, so I can draw on both experiences to inform the other. I tend to have a bit of jazz influence in my playing, but definitely strong R&B roots. Add the fact that I grew up on classical church music and made records with a boys choir and you’ll see my traditional side.. While Contemporary Christian Music dominates much of what I do, I still enjoy traditional hymns like Ave Maria, both by Schubert and Bach-Gounod, and Panis Angelicus, Ave Verum by Mozart , etc.

What is it about playing / singing for weddings that you enjoy?

I like to be able to find the formula that will most move the Bride and Groom to enter in more deeply into the moment. It is like unlocking a puzzle to find their emotional key.

List for me in order your top 5 musical influences.

In the Christian genre (most applicable to weddings): Matt Redmond, Rich Mullins, Matt Maher, Tom Booth and Stephen Curtis Chapman

Are you involved in other muscial projects, groups, organizations and if so what are they?

The Johnson Brothers (a.k.a. The Swinging Johnsons), Blue Heaven, Elated, Bernie Choiniere and the East Coast Band, LIFT worship band, Celine Dion tribute Band featuring Gina DiMia,

What are some of your other interest and  hobbies that you enjoy?

Recording and producing albums, reading about History, traveling (particularly to Italy and speaking Italian)

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