About Bob

Bob Berrigan, the Piano Man, is one of the best-known and most respected musicians on the eastern seaboard of Australia. Bob plays piano and keyboard, and is a vocalist.

Currently the leader of the band “All That Jazz” as well as a solo performer, over the years Bob has played in bands accompanying local and international artists, and has musically directed stage productions including Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell and Nunsense.

An avid pianoforte pupil at age 7, Bob remembers his mother was a great encourager:

I’d come home from piano lessons, play my little piece and say, “How was that, Mum?”
She would reply, “Lovely.”
I’d say “Good, I’ll play it again.”

Nothing has changed and Bob still enjoys creating and playing music.

At 19 Bob left home in Taree for the bright lights of Sydney, studying and playing professionally with many excellent musicians. Bob accompanied local and international artists.

At 27 Bob returned to Taree, deciding it was the place to bring up his three daughters. He combined his passion with his expertise to open up Berrigan’s Music Centre. People still remember the “B.E.R.R.I.G.A.N. — that’s me!” jingle. The business grew over the next 25 years, with stores in Newcastle, New England and up and down the coast.

Bob grew up on classical music, the Beatles and rock & roll; playing popular music and having fun. His love of jazz was aroused whilst at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, specifically doing an intensive course with visiting American Jazz musicians from the Mel Lewis Big Band. Bob says, “Learning and improvising jazz from pianists like Duke Ellington, Errol Garner, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and many more makes playing all styles of music more rewarding.”

Bob has an extensive repertoire encompassing many genres and looks forward to playing his music for you. To arrange a quotation, see the Bookings page.