Robert Chini

Southern California native Robert Chini started playing drums at the age of five. Influenced by jazz and R&B at a very young age, Robert learned to play drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards. His musical inspirations growing up were artists such as Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, The Doors, and The Beatles.

As a Multi-Instrumentalist, Robert formed the group Heat Treatment, a R&B funk band which featured a horn section. This group opened for such acts as Taj Mahal, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Stanley Clark (Chic Corea), and the Average White Band.

Robert later formed another group, In The Mood, with former Iron Butterfly guitarist Bobby Hasbrook. Robert then joined the popular '80s group England Dan & John Ford Coley. Robert played bass with JFC and two female singers by the name of Leslie & Kelly. They toured the West Coast and performed alongside groups such as Peaches & Herb, Tower of Power, and Air Supply. This venture opened up several songwriting avenues for Robert such as writing with the likes of Dean Pitchford (Fame), Peter Schless (On The Wings Of Love), Bob Gundry and Parker McGhee. Robert has also written several commercials -- one of which won him an Emmy Award for Best Musical Composition.

Robert's current project, World Without Tears, is a compilation of smooth jazz instrumentals and also includes songs with vocals. WWT also features New Age/Grammy nominated artist/composer David Arkenstone of Windham Hill Records. WWT takes on a direct approach and portrays a vision of what is going on in our world today. "...Robert's lyrics send a clear message of hope and shine a ray of light into the 21st century..." (San Diego Jazz & Blues Magazine; Kenny Rigello) Accompanying Robert are band members Carlos Elzora on bass, Barry Bedore on electric guitar, Ignacio DeLaVega on keyboards, and Toby Ahrens on drums.