Robert Bell

Robert Bell was the boy that never kept still. Any object at any moment could suddenly be used for musical expression. Being musically inclined got the attention of Robert’s parents (in more ways than one) and it was decided that he pursue piano. While waiting for his weekly piano lesson, he heard someone playing acoustic guitar. It was a moment of great influence.

Robert Bell began playing guitar at age thirteen. Born in Milwaukee WI he was close to The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music where he enrolled in guitar and studied for a short period. Throughout high school Robert played in various groups primarily in the pop music genre. After high school, Robert moved to Minnesota and began his non-music related studies at The University of Minnesota.

It was not until the age of twenty-seven, the year 1998 that he resumed his dedication to the guitar. Robert was busy with his Bilo Studio where he recorded and composed music for guitar, bass, oud, didgeridoo, dumbek and various instruments for clients including Rock Bottom Restaurants, Norwest Bank and Aventis Bio Services. It was after hearing the guitarist Django Reinhardt that Robert began to feel his truest calling, Jazz. The year 1998 was important as Robert became the guitarist for Troupe America’s A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline. The Theatre bug bit Robert hard and he followed as Music Director and guitarist for Minnesota Festival Theatre’s Always Patsy Cline.

Leading shows gave Robert the ability to form the septet BellCats. Bellcats, a swing septet was a featured artist on Germany’s Frankie Boy records and has been featured on numerous compilations. BellCats have performed for literally hundreds of corporate events, Weddings and Festivals. Arranging for horns and leading such a large group while fun, was not what inspired Robert’s initial interest in Jazz. BellCats performance schedule was cut back to twenty shows a year by 2002.

It was at this time Robert began to focus on Gypsy Jazz or Hot Club music. Robert organized "A Tribute to Django Reinhardt " which featured top players from Minnesota in the genre. Robert’s former guitar teacher Scott Fraser joined him in many performances and still does to this day. Robert was offered a weekly show at The Times Bar and Café in May of 2004. It was this weekly performance opportunity that was the inspiration for Robert’s first solo release, Gypsy Tendercies. The release from concept to completion was done in six weeks. Studio time was completed in 12 hours as Robert tracked both rhythm and lead parts that Vintage Guitar described as "fiery, virtuosic solos."

Robert currently performs every Sunday and hosts Gypsy Jazz Sundays at The Times. Robert is also a member and plays guitar in the traditional jazz band The Southside Aces. Robert leads the septet BellCats with Erin Schwab and works many "gigs" in and around Minneapolis.