I'm Bobby Schiff, a pianist, arranger, composer, conductor and producer who has spent more than five decades shaping the Chicago and Los Angeles music scenes. I’ve led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, and collaborated with legendary artists from Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald to Bobby Rydell and Wayne Newton. I started playing seriously in high school, trained from age five, and spent formative years at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, where I learned the ins and outs of music production and publishing. In the 1970s my commercial music work drew clients like Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald's and Hallmark, and later LA opened doors in film and television; I even recorded with Marvin Hamlisch and Jerry Goldsmith. Today I’m based in Chicago, working as a vocal arranger and accompanist while leading my own jazz trio and event bands—Phoenix, The Bobby Schiff Band and the Bobby Schiff Jazz Trio. I’ve served as a National Trustee and National Vice-President of the Grammys and as Vice President of the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders; I’m active in ASCAP and ASMA. My projects include music directing for the Women of Southport Jazz Festival, releasing the 2006 CD Late Game, and composing orchestral works for Park Ridge Symphony and a Harris Theater Christmas concert with big-band/strings arrangements. I’m also collaborating with violinist Daniela Bisenius in a series blending classical, jazz, tango and gypsy styles.

Bobby Schiff

I'm Bobby Schiff, a pianist, arranger, composer, conductor and producer who has spent more than five decades shaping the Chicago and Los Angeles music scenes. I’ve led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, and collaborated with legendary artists from Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald to Bobby Rydell and Wayne Newton. I started playing seriously in high school, trained from age five, and spent formative years at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, where I learned the ins and outs of music production and publishing. In the 1970s my commercial music work drew clients like Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald's and Hallmark, and later LA opened doors in film and television; I even recorded with Marvin Hamlisch and Jerry Goldsmith. Today I’m based in Chicago, working as a vocal arranger and accompanist while leading my own jazz trio and event bands—Phoenix, The Bobby Schiff Band and the Bobby Schiff Jazz Trio. I’ve served as a National Trustee and National Vice-President of the Grammys and as Vice President of the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders; I’m active in ASCAP and ASMA. My projects include music directing for the Women of Southport Jazz Festival, releasing the 2006 CD Late Game, and composing orchestral works for Park Ridge Symphony and a Harris Theater Christmas concert with big-band/strings arrangements. I’m also collaborating with violinist Daniela Bisenius in a series blending classical, jazz, tango and gypsy styles.

Available to hire

I’m Bobby Schiff, a pianist, arranger, composer, conductor and producer who has spent more than five decades shaping the Chicago and Los Angeles music scenes. I’ve led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, and collaborated with legendary artists from Mel Tormé and Ella Fitzgerald to Bobby Rydell and Wayne Newton. I started playing seriously in high school, trained from age five, and spent formative years at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, where I learned the ins and outs of music production and publishing. In the 1970s my commercial music work drew clients like Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald’s and Hallmark, and later LA opened doors in film and television; I even recorded with Marvin Hamlisch and Jerry Goldsmith.

Today I’m based in Chicago, working as a vocal arranger and accompanist while leading my own jazz trio and event bands—Phoenix, The Bobby Schiff Band and the Bobby Schiff Jazz Trio. I’ve served as a National Trustee and National Vice-President of the Grammys and as Vice President of the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders; I’m active in ASCAP and ASMA. My projects include music directing for the Women of Southport Jazz Festival, releasing the 2006 CD Late Game, and composing orchestral works for Park Ridge Symphony and a Harris Theater Christmas concert with big-band/strings arrangements. I’m also collaborating with violinist Daniela Bisenius in a series blending classical, jazz, tango and gypsy styles.

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Experience Level

Expert

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor, Producer at Self-employed / Independent
January 1, 1960 - Present
Led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, directed, composed, and arranged music for renowned entertainers such as Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, and Wayne Newton. Played keyboard in Los Angeles studio sessions with notable composers like Marvin Hamlisch and Jerry Goldsmith. Produced award-winning commercial music for clients including Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald's, and others. Currently active as a premier vocal arranger and accompanist in Chicago, producing albums and performing with jazz bands and ensembles. Music Director for Women of Southport Jazz Festival and involved in concerts mixing classical, jazz, tango, and gypsy music.
USO Tour Pianist at Wayne Newton's Overseas Thanksgiving 2001 USO Tour
November 30, 2001 - September 5, 2025
Accompanied Ruth Pointer on this overseas USO tour, providing piano and keyboard support for live performances entertaining U.S. troops.
Pianist / Accompanist at Wayne Newton USO Tour (Overseas Thanksgiving 2001)
January 1, 2001 - Present
Pianist and accompanist for Wayne Newton during an overseas USO tour; accompanied Ruth Pointer.
Solo Artist at Self (Late Game CD)
January 1, 2006 - Present
Released the CD Late Game (2006) with jazz trio and string arrangements.

Education

Add your educational history here.

Qualifications

Classical Piano Performance and Composition Training
January 11, 2030 - September 5, 2025
Dal Segno Award
January 11, 2030 - September 5, 2025
Musical Achievement Award from The Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders (APOL)
January 11, 2030 - September 5, 2025
Dal Segno Award
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Musical Achievement Award
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
APOL Musical Achievement Award
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Travel & Hospitality