Musician
Rob Gellner is a Guelph-based trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, arranger, and brass teacher active across a wide range of musical genres.
In 2015, he released his debut album of original jazz compositions, What If, with The Rob Gellner Sextet. Drawing influence from 1950s jazz, big band music, funk, fusion, jazz-rock, modern jazz, Latin, and world music, the album showcases his gift for lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and rhythm-driven energy.
Rob’s musical journey began at an early age with piano, later discovering the trumpet at 14. Jazz remains his first love, though his versatility has led him to perform in a variety of settings. He currently performs with Fresh Water Funk and has arranged and performed with Clefs of Moher, a Celtic-Jazz ensemble. He also appears as a guest artist with KW Big Band Theory.
Over the years, he has also performed with The Basically Basie Big Band, Groove Corporation, and in pit orchestras for Royal City Musical Productions Inc. (RCMPI), Kitchener/Waterloo Musical Productions (KWMP), and Globe and Drayton musicals, performing on trumpet, trombone, and French horn. He has recorded with a variety of artists and ensembles including Groove Corporation, KW Big Band Theory, bassist Jason Raso, and singer Joni NehRita.
Composer/Arranger
Rob received a Bachelor of Music degree (BMUS) in Honours Composition from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1989. He is currently completing a double Masters in Professional Media Composition and Orchestration for films, games and television through the University of Chichester, UK.
Throughout his career, Rob has continued to refine his craft, studying composition and arranging privately with Grammy Award–winning Canadian jazz musician and arranger Rob McConnell, and participating in jazz composition workshops with acclaimed trombonist and educator Dave McMurdo.
He has arranged music for both large and small ensembles including Clefs of Moher, Fresh Water Funk, Groove Corporation, the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble, the Royal City Big Band and KW Big Band Theory.
