He is a trumpeter from McCordsville, Indiana who learned the trumpet while young. After graduating he worked as a trumpeter from the time he was 17 years old. He worked with a band and relocated to New York where he became a freelance musician and has performed for more than fifty years as one of the most sought after television, stage and sidemen in the city.
He has worked on numerous television and Broadway shows and has toured with many artists during his career. Some of the Broadways shows he has performed on include Over Here!, A Chorus Line, The Goodbye Girl, Show Boat, High Society, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Full Monty, Hairspray, 9 to 5, La Cage aux Folles, Hair and Dames at Sea.
Some of the artists include American Jazz Orchestra, Randy Brecker, Benny Carter, the Contemporary Brass Quintet, Barbara Cook, Chick Corea, Jack Cortner, Sammy Davis Jr., Paquito D’Riviera, Linda Eder, The Embers, The Escorts, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Franks, Jim Hall, Harmonie Ensemble New York, Jimmy Heath, Cissy Houston, Quincy Jones, Lauren Kennedy, Stan Kenton, Nancy LaMott, D.C. LaRue, Manhattan Jazz Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Lyle Mays, John Miller, Bob Mintzer, The Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Bernadette Peters, David Stryker, Howard Tate and Dawn Upshaw.
In the recording studio he has performed on more than 300 albums with a select few of them being Midwinter Graces by Tori Amos, East Side Suite by Louie Belson & His Jazz Orchestra, Duets II by Tony Bennett, Cheek to Cheek by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Sing America by The Broadway Kids, Two Days Away by Elkie Brooks, Noel by Canadian Brass, This Pretty Planet by Tom Chapin, Love Island by Deodato, The Wind Beneath My Wings by James Galway, Encounters of Every Kind by Meco, Burn by Melba Moore, Fox Huntin’ by Idris Muhammed, New York City Band with Luther Vandross by New York City Band and Luther Vandross, Am I Not Your Girl by Sinead O’Connor, Christmas Cracker by Graham Parker, Open Up by Ray, Goodman & Brown, Burning for Buddy: A Tribute to the Music of Buddy Rich by the Buddy Rich Big Band, Chic & Beyond by Nile Rodgers, Diana by Diana Ross, Take a Bite by Marlena Shaw, Love Somebody Today by Sister Sledge, Dancin’ and Lovin’ by The Spinners, Back to Brooklyn by Barbra Streisand, Swing Masters Vol. 2: Benny…King of Swing! by Swing Masters, This Time of the Year by Steve Tyrell, The Great American Songbook – Live at Michael’s Pub by Mel Torme, Feels So Good by Grover Washington Jr., R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal) by Nancy Wilson, John Dawson Winter III by Johnny Winter and Let’s All Chant by The Michael Zager Band, the Broadway soundtracks of The Boys from Syracuse, Fine and Dandy, High Society, 9 to 5: The Musical and Sweet Smell of Success and countless collections and compilations.
He is the trumpeter wearing the white shirt…
Sources:
- https://hip-bonemusic.com/blogs/bone2pick/bob-millikan
- https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/bob-milliken-469799
- https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Bob-Millikan/
- https://wyntonmarsalis.org/personnel/detail/bob-millikan
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-millikan-mn0000012081/credits
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/349571-Robert-Millikan?page=1