About

Robert Lassila is a composer, acoustic and electric bassist, and educator. Raised in Bend, Oregon, Robert found a love for music at a very young age starting with the guitar. Experimenting with many instruments in the early years of his life, a real passion was found when he started playing electric bass in high school.

Upon arriving at the University of Oregon, Robert began studying acoustic bass in both classical and jazz settings. Developing ability on the instrument very quickly, he soon became an in-demand bassist in the Eugene area. During this time, he also began developing strong composition practices, writing for both small and large ensembles.

Recently, Robert has performed in a diverse array of ensembles. As an electric bassist, he has worked with artists including Thunderstorm Artis and Myka9. As a classical bassist, he has performed with the Eugene Ballet and served as a substitute player for the Eugene Symphony.

Robert holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Composition from the University of Oregon. While completing this degree, he was awarded the DownBeat Award for Best Graduate College Small Jazz Combo with JazzArts Oregon in 2024 as well as a DownBeat Award for Outstanding Performance by a Graduate Large Jazz Ensemble in 2025.