david robaire
producer. musician. los angeles.
about.
David Robaire has long been someone people trust to get things done, and to do them well. A combination of musical instincts and people skills has shaped his evolution from bassist to producer, curator, and arts leader.
Since Sam First's opening in 2017, Robaire has been central to shaping and implementing founder Paul Solomon's vision of bringing high level, 5 night/week jazz to LA's westside in the hippest environment possible. Robaire was originally brought on as the Manager of Music, a role that eventually developed into Artistic Director, and following the venue’s transition to nonprofit status in 2024, Robaire became Executive Director.
As a producer, Robaire has helped develop Sam First Records into a meaningful extension of the venue’s artistic mission. He has produced eight releases for the label to date, each one rooted by his clarity of vision, deep respect for the artists and ear for music that feels relevant in today's world.
Robaire acts as a facilitator, giving strong ideas the space and support they need in order to fully come into focus. His creative yet grounded instincts have been time spent absorbing knowledge directly from modern masters of music like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Larry Klein and Billy Childs.
As a performer, Robaire has spent valuable time performing, recording, and/or touring with some of the world’s most sought-after creative musicians, including Larry Goldings, Gerald Clayton, Gilad Hekselman, Justin Kauflin, Dayna Stephens, Jane Monheit, Ben Wendel and Pat Martino.
Robaire’s formal education includes a bachelor's degree from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC as well as master's degrees from both CalArts and UCLA's Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, where he spent two years alongside an exceptional cohort of musicians who went on to form the group Holophonor.
recordings.
process.
With every project comes a unique set of challenges, and David Robaire is the rare breed of producer who enjoys the process of converting the challenges into creative assets. Producing a record is a process and the finished product is most meaningful when it honestly reflects the artistic journey it took to get there.
Robaire shapes recording projects at every stage, from early musical direction through final, high-resolution deliverables. He helps define artistic vision by refining arrangements, form, groove, and emotional intent, while guiding pre-production decisions that set each project up for success.
In the studio, Robaire provides trusted ears and calm, focused leadership, drawing out strong, authentic performances while keeping sessions efficient and always creatively engaged. He oversees editing, mixing, mastering, and final delivery with an emphasis on clarity, dynamics, and musicality, ensuring the finished work translates across systems, making for a rewarding experience for music enthusiasts and audiophiles alike.