The Summer Jazz Festival continues with Bobby Schiff at 7 p.m. Monday, June 30 at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.
Schiff is a composer, arranger, conductor, pianist and producer. On the Chicago and Los Angeles music scenes for more 45 years, he has led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, directed, composed and arranged for and with the best – Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Johnny Hartman, Frank D’Rone, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara McNair, The Arbors and Bobby Rydell.
In 2001, he played Wayne Newton’s overseas Thanksgiving USO tour, accompanying Ruth Pointer. Locally, he performs with Ron Hawking and the show “His Way” and is the pianist and arranger for Claudia Hommel’s “Faure Jazz Project.”
Schiff has been playing piano and keyboards professionally since he was in high school. His classical training in piano performance and composition began at age five. As a youngster, he worked several years at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, honing his skills in the music production and publishing business.
His award winning commercial music business served such clients as Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald’s, John Deere, Sears, Kraft and Hallmark.
A true music professional, Schiff served for many years as a national trustee and national vice-president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy’s). He served as vice president of the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders. He also maintains his memberships in ASCAP and ASMA.
On a day to day basis, Schiff is working primarily in Chicago as a vocal arranger and accompanist. Playing, arranging and producing albums for numerous independent artists, he also performs with his own jazz trio at several Chicago venues.
Oak Park Arms Senior Living is a rental retirement community which provides senior housing in the form of independent living. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information call 708-386-4040.
