By: Arlene R. Weiss
Trevor Rabin: Courtesy Wikipedia
Legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, film composer, and multi-instrumentalist, Trevor Rabin, is more than an amazing auteur. Throughout his storied career he has continually set a benchmark of uncompromising excellence, forging and blazing a superb path as a landmark artist, and as one of the most esteemed and influential artists in music. The talent and artistry flowing from Rabin’s consciousness is just otherworldly.
Born in Johannesburg, January 13, 1954, Rabin’s lifelong love of, and encouragement in, music began as a child from his family, which has always been richly immersed and gifted in many of the fine and performing arts, including classical music.
His father Godfrey was the first chair violinist for The Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, his mother Joy was a painter, actress, ballet dancer, and classical pianist. Trevor’s little sister Amanda is a ballet dancer and pianist and his older brother Derek was a violinist and a drummer.
Trevor began playing and studying piano at the age of six, first took up playing the guitar at twelve, and was playing in his brother Derek’s band by the time he turned thirteen. By the time he was seventeen, Trevor was an in demand and highly respected session guitarist, producer, and arranger.
It was then that he would join several pioneering South African bands, forming Conglomeration with several friends, joining Freedom’s Children, (whose spirited, social activism and Anti-Apartheid outcries reflected Trevor’s, and his family’s, great sense of courage of conviction, moral integrity, responsibility, and stand against Apartheid), and co-founding Rabbitt, which stands to this day as South Africa’s most successful rock band.
From the early 1980’s to 1995, Rabin’s tenure was with the influential, progressive art rock band YES as one of their chief songwriters. Where he contributed by writing their only number one song, “Owner Of A Lonely Heart,” writing their sole Grammy Award® winning song, the instrumental “Cinema,” and writing a sparkling repertoire of songs, including “Leave It,” “Changes,” “It Can Happen,” “Hold On,” “Rhythm Of Love,” “Love Will Find A Way,” “Lift Me Up,” “Miracle Of Life,” “Walls,” “I Am Waiting,” “Endless Dream,” and many more.
His phenomenal songwriting, incendiary guitar playing, singing, production, engineering, and arranging with Yes on four albums, and many worldwide tours, rejuvenated and breathed fresh and exciting, creative fire and life into the band, at a time when they were fragmented, bereft of ideas and songs, and nearly obsolete.
Check Out the Trevor Rabin Collection
But Rabin’s true gifts for invention and innovation surfaced fully through his four dazzling solo albums, 1978’s Trevor Rabin, 1979’s Face To Face, 1981’s Wolf, and significantly, on Trevor’s masterpiece, 1989’s Can’t Look Away, on which he showcases his dazzling musicianship. Doing all of the songwriting, Trevor plays all of the instruments himself, sings, produced, mixed, and arranged the album, creating a purposeful and meaningful work of epic scope and beauty.
The album’s centerpiece song, “I Can’t Look Away”, addresses Trevor’s Anti-Apartheid stance, imbued with resolute integrity and taking a stand for what is right, endowed with lyrics and music of utter magnificence and a social conscience.
Currently, Trevor’s eloquent innovative gifts, most prominently have come to the fore, ever since composing his first film score in 1996 for the film Glimmer Man, through Trevor’s decade and a half tenure as a revered and acclaimed, award-winning film composer.
Rabin has composed the stunning scores for such diverse and multi-genre A-List motion pictures including Armageddon, Con Air, Remember The Titans, Glory Road, both National Treasure films, Snakes On A Plane, The Guardian, Enemy Of The State and this last summer’s blockbuster film, Disney’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
That’s also Trevor’s amazing scores gracing Walt Disney World’s “Mission: Space” exhibit, and he also composed the signature theme for the NBA® on TNT.
President Obama regarded Rabin’s compositional gifts so much, that he used Trevor’s Remember The Titans main theme, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, and as the backdrop for his Grant Park Victory Speech in Chicago, upon winning the Presidential election.
Rabin, who has collaborated with, produced, and played on sessions with such venerable artists including, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Bob Dylan, Paul Rodgers, Manfred Mann, Noel McCalla, and Wild Horses, is currently very busy working on several creative projects.
Rabin recently finished composing the score for Director Renny Harlin’s new film Georgia, (tentatively to be re-titled Red August or Five Days In August set for release March 2011). Rabin is also planning on writing and recording a new record with his Yes compatriots, Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman.
Trevor also just finished and is about to release, (release date and more information to be announced shortly), his long awaited and highly anticipated, fifth solo album. A very personal instrumental album imbued with many eclectic and diverse music styles including roots, bluegrass, and jazz.
Trevor Rabin has, and continues to be, an artist always excited by, and taking tremendous personal and creative, joy and fulfillment in continually taking chances, charting new, multi-faceted creative paths and varied music, artistic projects.
As Rabin expounds with joy, “I’ve so enjoyed the film stuff, as every film has been an opportunity to do different areas of music, so I’ll continue searching. I certainly intend to continue searching, as well, via rock music, although it’s been a long time, and whatever hits me.”
© Copyright September 23 and October 6, 2010 By Arlene R. Weiss-All Rights Reserved
Tweets that mention Trevor Rabin: Artist Profile | Guitar International Magazine -- Topsy.com (13 years ago)
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tweet 4 All, Ioannis Anastassakis and Hasin Mullah, Guitar International. Guitar International said: Trevor Rabin: Artist Profile http://bit.ly/9RpHNh […]
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Per Billboard.com, Trevor Rabin’s New, Instrumental Solo Album is now due for a September 2011 Release on Voiceprint Records! Many Congratulations to Trevor!
http://www.billboard.com/#/news/yes-guitarist-trevor-rabin-working-on-first-1005168102.story
Very Happy for Trevor, this is just wonderful news!
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Trevor Rabin’s Original Motion Picture Score Album for the film, “I Am Number Four”, for which he composed the score, has a NEW Release Date, Now..5/24/2011, on Varese Sarabande Records!
http://www.varesesarabande.com/servlet/the-702/I-Am-Number-Four/Detail
Wonderful news & many Congratulations to Trevor!
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Trevor Rabin’s New Instrumental Solo Album, Being Released September 2011, On VoicePrint Records Is Entitled “Edging Closer”!
http://gonzomultimedia.blogspot.com/
“At long last it can be officially announced that the new Trevor Rabin solo album will be released during the summer by Gonzo Multimedia. Entitled Edging Closer the new solo album will be his first solo studio album since Can’t Look Away which was released in 1989. The album is an ecelctic album and completely instrumental. The album also features performances from Trevor’s son Ryan who plays drums on two tracks. Elsewhere Lou Molino III plays drums. A full tracklisting and details of the album will follow in the coming weeks.”
“Trevor left Yes following the tour for Talk in the mid nineties although did get back together with a line up of Yes to perform at the Princes Trust in 2004. Trevor has concentrated on writing the soundtracks for a great many successful films over the last 15 years including Armageddon Gone In 60 Seconds, Jack Frost, and Snakes on a Plane to name just a few.”
“”Edging Closer” will be his first solo studio album since Can’t Look Away which was released in 1989.” Posted by Jon Kirkman-Gonzomultimedia
FYI…Gonzomultimedia is the parent co. of VoicePrint Records.
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
The Title of Trevor Rabin’s New Instrumental Solo Album, Being Released September 2011, On VoicePrint Records is “Edging Closer”!
http://gonzomultimedia.blogspot.com/2011/05/trevor-rabin-new-solo-album-entitled.html
FYI…Gonzomultimedia is the parent co. of VoicePrint Records.
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Here’s my Review of Trevor Rabin’s Score For The Original Motion Picture Score, Soundtrack Album For “I Am Number Four”!
http://guitarinternational.com/2011/05/22/i-am-number-four-soundtrack-review/#comment-92946
The Official, Original Motion Picture Score, Soundtrack Album, featuring Trevor’s amazing score comes out This Tuesday, 5/24/2011 on Varese Sarabande Records! Many Wonderful Congratulations to Trevor!
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Update Re: The Title of Trevor Rabin’s New Instrumental Solo Album! The blog entry from VoicePrint Records & GonzoMultimedia announcing the Title as of 5/5/11 as “Edging Closer”..has as of 5/22/2011…NOW been REMOVED..so…Maybe there’s been a Change in the Title of Trevor’s Instrumental Solo Album by Trevor…which artists frequently DO sometimes before & right up to their albums release date, and this has 3 and a half more months to go as its set for a September 2011 Release on VoicePrint. Might be a change in Title..I’m not sure yet so guess we all have to STAY TUNED! Whatever Title Trevor names it, will be wonderful and I’m very looking forward to it!
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
The Title of Trevor Rabin’s New Instrumental Solo Record is reportedly, “Jacaranda”, according to an Interview in the current issue of “Classic Rock Meets Prog Magazine”…(NOT “Edging Closer” as was initially reported in the GonzoMultiMedia/Voiceprint Records Blog).
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Trevor Rabin’s newest film score is for the documentary film, “The Movement”, narrated by Robert Redford & ski film icon Warren Miller. Also featuring music by The Foo Fighters, U2 & KD Lang, the film will premiere Thurs. Nov. 3, 2011 at The Depot in Salt Lake, & Sat. Nov. 5, 2011 at The Egyptian Theater in Park City Utah.
http://m.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile/52737793-81/film-miller-lake-movement.html.csp
Quote: “Produced by Kurt Miller, the former head of Warren Miller Films, this film is in sync with the mission of Miller’s http://www.MakeAHero.org foundation. Funds raised by the film will go directly to local groups working with physically disab…led individuals.” …Very good cause & nice to see Trevor & so many esteemed film & music artists lending their time, support & generosity to this inspiring film, and to raising awareness & funds for a great cause. More screening dates for the film are listen in the link for makeahero.org.
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Trevor’s long awaited instrumental solo album, “Jacaranda” will drop January 2012 on GonzoMultimedia Records.
Michael Halas (12 years ago)
I met Trevor in 1994 in Jacksonville FL. He is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He’s a true guitar hero and a fantastic all-around musician! What he has done after leaving Yes is mind boggling! I am looking forward to the new album though i must say “Can’t Look Away” is one of my favourites of all time!
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Sunday, 2/5/2012 Trevor’s long awaited all instrumental solo album, “Jacaranda” is now due for major release April 2012, on a different record label which as yet, is to be announced. Trevor is finishing up the first video for “Jacaranda” which he is working on with his longtime drummer, Lou Molino and bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, both who appear on the album with Trevor’s son drummer Ryan Rabin & also with jazz drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Trevor also just “finished mastering this week” and is “Going back next week for a small touchup.” according to Trevor’s latest report to NFTE (Notes From The Edge) on Sat. 2/4/2012.
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
Trevor’s new, instrumental solo album, “Jacaranda”, his first new studio album in 23 years, will be released 5/8/2012 on Varese Sarabande Records. Here is OFFICIAL Information for availability & purchase & more directly from Varese Sarabande’s OFFICIAL website!
Quote: “Jacaranda is Trevor Rabin’s first new solo album since his 1989 album Can’t Look Away. Rabin plays all of the instruments himself, with the exception of drums, for which he brought in noted jazz/rock drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa), longtime Rabin drummer and collaborator Lou Molino III, Trevor’s son Ryan Rabin (Grouplove), and noted bass guitarist Tal Wilkenfeld (Jeff Beck) plays on the track “Anerley Road.”
Release Date: 05/08/12
Price: $12.98
http://www.varesesarabande.com/servlet/the-1029/Trevor-Rabin-cln–Jacaranda/Detail
The complete track listing is also on the first link above from Varese Sarabande Records.
Also this link has info… http://www.varesesarabande.com/servlet/the-VARESE-VINTAGE-cln-Upcoming-Releases/Categories
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
3/7/2012 Update on Trevor Rabin’s new instrumental solo album, “Jacaranda”, being released May 8, 2012 on Varese Sarabande/Varese Vintage Records.
Vocalist Liz Constintine is featured on the track “Rescue,” inspired by the film “The Guardian”. There’s also a video Trevor is doing for the album that I believe is with Tal Wilkenfeld, which might be the song “Anerley Road”.
Track List:
1 Spider Boogie
2 Market Street
3 Anerley Road
4 Through The Tunnel
5 The Branch Office
6 Rescue
7 Killarney 1 & 2
8 Storks Bill Geranium Waltz
9 Me And My Boy
10 Freethought
11 Zoo Lake
12 Gazania