Smooth jazz man Bob Baldwin will be back by popular demand on Sunday evening at Snorkel Park.

Mr. Baldwin toldthat is was the inspiring example of his father that led him to pursue music.

?My father (Robert Baldwin Sr.) is the greatest hero in my life,? he said.

?When he was young, he held down a full-time job, shot pictures with a high-profile Hasselblad camera, and was a great pianist. He wore many hats and had such a high work ethic.

?He is the original hero. He taught me how to play at the tender age of four years young.?

During his career, Mr. Baldwin has had the opportunity to work with many luminaries.

?(The late) Grover Washington, Jr. was a class act and a great musician,? he said. ?Kirk Whalum, who I hung out with at last year?s Bermuda Music Festival when I was helping to promote the smooth jazz station KJAZ 98.1 FM in Bermuda. He is also a great musician.

?Working with George Benson and Will Downing are also high on the list.?

Mr. Baldwin also finds strength and inspiration in his faith.

?With him, anything can be accomplished,? he said. ?When my brother was killed in 1991, his spirit penetrated my music and made it very spiritual and when I step into a tune it?s all about touching people?s lives.

?Also, (Carlos) Santana?s music is very spiritual. He can play one note and drive you absolutely nuts! All of these things has become the fabric of music which is now Bob Baldwin.?

At the moment, Mr. Baldwin is at work on two albums.

?I did a DVD last summer, which should be released later this year and I have a CD coming out in the fall entitled ?NewUrbanJazz.com?,? he said. ?I also produced a record called ?Soul Providers?, which is one of those Hip-Hop records seen through an instrumental perspective with songs by Mariah, John Legend, Jay-Z, etc. It?s a fun record.?

?I have my hands full on the next two projects, but I would like to launch the New Urban Jazz Radio Network,? Mr. Baldwin said.

?Everywhere I?ve gone, including launching that format at the jazz station there on the Island, has been well-received.

?Terrance Trott (KJAZ 98.1 FM chief executive) has been very instrumental in helping me get the word out that the music that?s being played on the radio is not all of the music that is being made and there?s a huge disparity.?

This weekend?s audience are in a few surprises, he hinted.

?Wendell (Shine) Hayward and I have a good vibe,? he said.

?I played his record a lot when I was at the station there, so I already dig his vibe.

?Then I met him and he?s cool. So we bring together the Bermuda flavours with a contemporary jazz vibe from the States.

?I give a little Brazil, some funk and some fun music.?

He added: ?I guarantee your audience that if they come to the show, they?ll walk away feeling good about themselves and the music, which is what it?s all about!?

Mr. Baldwin also thanked Terrance Trott and KJAZ Radio for making the links that now allow him to play in Bermuda.

?None of this would have happened, so thanks to him for building the bridge between Bob Baldwin and Bermuda.?

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