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ABOUT ROB

Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Brooklyn-based session drummer Rob Mitzner is renowned for his combination of raw energy, musicianship and sensitivity. Equally at ease laying it down in rock, pop and R&B settings, trading ideas in jazz, or propelling the groove more subtly in support of some of New York’s best singer-songwriters, one thing Rob brings to every musical setting is an infectious groove.
This approach has led Rob on an amazing musical journey throughout the world. He has been featured in Downbeat Magazine, Modern Drummer Magazine, recorded for Billboard Top 10 charting albums, films, and Broadway shows, and performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Lincoln Center, The Smithsonian, Caesar's Palace, The Blue Note and Boston Symphony Hall. He also had the honor of arranging and performing a piece for President Obama and an audience of thousands at the National Harbor Waterfront in Washington D.C., and is a regularly featured artist on the world's preeminent drumming website, Drum Talk TV. He also writes articles for popular educational site Drumeo, and is a proud endorser of Paiste Cymbals, Remo drumheads, Hendrix Drums snares and Drumdots dampeners. His book "Drumming in a Band: Stuff You Can Use" was published by Hudson Music in 2022 and distributed by Hal Leonard.
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Rob’s itinerary also includes performances with nerdcore rap pioneer MC Frontalot, jazz/soul singer Andrea Capozzoli, The Michael Gallant Trio, electronica artist Svoy (Billboard/Univeral Music Group), Luke Buck, Doll Parts, The Dave Ross Trio, post-punk electronica band "I'm in You", and many others. In 2015, his original jazz group, The Smoke People released an album to a packed house at New York’s historic Blue Note Jazz Club, joined by acclaimed saxophonist Andrew D’Angelo. When he's not touring, Rob spends much of his time in some of New York's top recording studios, where his credits include the Billboard Top 10 charting compilation "Action Moves People United", Outside Mullingar (Broadway), and over 50 commercially available albums across many genres. He also works regularly in theaters and pit orchestras on and off-Broadway, playing drumset, cajon, Irish bodhran and a wide range of percussion.
In addition to these current projects, Rob has had the privilege of performing and recording with artists such as Jerry Bergonzi, Sam Kininger (Soulive), Ronnie Laws, Toni Lynn Washington, Carolyn Leonhart (Steely Dan), Michael Hill’s Blues Mob, Greg Abate, Bruce Gertz, Oscar Stagnaro (Paquito D’Rivera), Jaime Baum, “America’s Got Talent” winner Rudi Macaggi, Analog Planet, Time in Transit, The Josh Nelson Project, Craig Taubman, We Is Shore Dedicated, Abigail Rockwell, Jeff Ramsey, Aurical, Fighter Planes & Praying Mantis, Emily Braden, Anne Steele, Sean Harkness, Phoebe Legere, Colm Reilly, Jann Klose. Leo Genovese, Chip Greene, Anita Aysola and many others.
A graduate of Brown University in Providence, RI, Rob holds a B.A. in Music and Political Science, and was awarded the school’s prestigious William H. Westin Award for Musical Performance. He has had the privilege of studying with several acclaimed teachers, including Boston free-jazz legend Bob Gullotti (The Fringe) and Washington D.C. groovemaster Steve “Freelance” Larrance, formerly of Tina Turner’s band.
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When he's not performing live, Rob runs C-Room Studio in Brooklyn where he records drum tracks for clients across the globe, teaches private lessons and drinks way too much coffee.