If you were an aspiring LA artist in the late 70’s through the early 90’s and you had a melody and no way to communicate it, you could go to the Culver City/LA border and get it together at Bob Farrell’s studio.  It was a place that transformed an artist’s dreams to magic, and for those who knew what they wanted, they could lay tracks at the funky 8-track studio that he also called home.  Back in the early days, jazz artists like, Dwight Trible, would work his intricate demos with Bob at the helm, putting it all together with a drum machine and keyboards.

He had the chops for whatever you wanted: funk, jazz, R & B, gospel, pop, country or fusion. Bob Farrell’s keyboard talent was the chameleon for whatever style was in demand. This was back in the day, real old school style when synthesizers were quirky little instruments that had just become portable enough to cart around on a gig; before there were sequencers and virtual instruments. It was a time when musicians would look at the back of a synth and wonder what the hell did that word MIDI mean. There was no such thing as an “undo” button and “edit” was something that required a straight edged razor. 

Bob Farrell was a phenom and could pick and choose his projects, gigging nights with bands like Ray( Little Ray) and the Idols and doing sessions at his studio by day. Born in Philly and raised in San Diego, Bob mastered the accordion then moved on to the piano and electric keyboards. 

This boy on the beach who loved the sea and surfing, became fascinated with the earthy texture of  R & B. His passion for the style of the rhythms, and the energy of the music brought Bob to what was known as the "chittlin’" circuits and small funk and R & B clubs, where he lived and breathed the consciousness of true funk and rhythm and blues.

Meeting fellow musician Clarence Bell at a nightspot in the "soulful" side of San Diego was more than kismet, it was destiny. Through their friendship of 30+ years Clarence, a seasoned keyboardist, singer/songwriter and producer still lauds Bob as the best in the business. Both friends moved to LA in the late 70’s where they collaborated on projects and completed recorded work that had such clarity and polish that one would never guess that it was born in a little flat in Culver City.  The first group Bob played with on the LA Club scene was called "The Young Hearts".  Next he booked a gig playing at the famed Total Experience nightspot in Hollywood with the house band, The New Experience.

Word spread about this funky keyboard player who had this studio and Bob’s day gig with his 8 track became the catalyst for more gigs, musical alliances. Projects which included work with Keni Burke, DJ Rogers, The Band AKA, Bobby Glenn,  singer and evangelist  Mary Love  recorded her albums on Co-Love Records "His Servant am I" and "Sin no More"  at Bob's studio which successfully made a moving and spiritual impression with audiences in California circles and now has revitalized fame worldwide thanks to the success of internet music. Of the album "Sin No More", Toby Walker of the popular UK  site Soulwalking.co.uk remarks. 'The killer cut here has to be the mid tempo title track, that comes in a vocal version and an instrumental. Mary and her husband Bradford E. Comer co-wrote all of the tunes here, highly thought provokingly and intelligently. A good gospel release.'

Gospel vocalist, La Verna Mason's CD Serenity  received  well deserved praise as being a "brilliant soul classic album" with gospel hits "Deliverance", "Do you Believe", "Simple" and "Perfect Love"   A keen ear and perception into the depths of production comes with ease in this work,  and is clearly a talent and strong suit for Bob Farrell. His  ability to transform himself into "the band", whether it's being the drummer, with his flawless drum programming style, or adding a percussive highlight to the mix, is what makes each tune on La Verna's album an impeccable compliment in it's production delivery.

His career led him to working with Martha and the Vandellas as well as traveling worldwide as the MD (Music Director) for the The Temptations. He has played with names like The Four Tops, Johnny Tillotson, Cuba Gooding, Sr., and  Gary Puckett.  He appeared with the Tempts on the Johnny Carson Show, The Today Show, The Jay Leno Show as well as the Universal Amphitheatre, Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the legendary Apollo Theater and the TV series New York Undercover.

After doing the road gig with the Tempts for several years, Bob eventually settled in the Long Beach area, where he arranged for local recording projects as well as gigged with Starfire (formerly Ray and the Idols), as well as playing at the Long Beach Yacht Club on weekends.

His playing is so defined, and compelling, that when Bob sat in with a small trio at an event honoring singer/songwriter Obie Jessie (Young Jessie), a hush went through the room.

Bob continues to entertain and inspire with an infectious musical style that carries with it a rare emotional sensitivity: his unique signature as a musician and arranger.

Bob Farrell's  return as musical director for the Temptations is a reunion whose timing is fitting. This is where Bob belongs, with the music that is his soul; the legend of Motown music and the Temptations, both a soundtrack to the most musically provocative decade in the history of America: the 60’s.