Robert Black

US American double bassist
Born on March 16, 1956 in Denver, Colorado, USA, died on June 27, 2023 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Black was a virtuoso bassist who collaborated with prominent composers, including Philip Glass and John Cage, and was a founding member of the influential Bang on a Can All-Stars ensemble. He championed contemporary music and commissioned work from dozens of composers. His theatrical approach to performance extended to dramatic speaking and even dancing, as a member of Yoshiko Chuma’s School of Hard Knocks, an interdisciplinary troupe. He also pursued a solo career, building a sizable new repertoire for his instrument and recording the complete bass music of Giacinto Scelsi and Christian Wolff. A dedicated pedagogue, he taught at the Hartt School for 29 years. In 2017, he formed the Robert Black Foundation to support contemporary music. He frequently commissioned work from young and emerging composers, whose music he performed as part of a monthly Friday series during the pandemic, live-streamed from his home.