Graduated in 1987 at the Rotterdam Conservatory with the highest possible mark (A with distinction). He won several awards, a.o. the second prize at the first "Thelonious Monk Jazzpiano Competition" (Washington D.C.), soloist awards in Germany/Belgium, the Wessel Ilcken Award (Holland) and the Dutch Grammy (Edison) for the cd "Rob van Bavel trio".
He made many cd's as a sideman and as leader: Rob van Bavel Octet and Rob van Bavel Trio. Some cd's released by RVB Productions, a.o. "Duo Rob van Bavel/Marc van Rooij LIVE".
Nowadays working as a teacher at the Rotterdam Conservatory (Codarts) and the Amsterdam Conservatory (Conservatorium van Amsterdam). Of course also performing (inter-)nationally with several groups, such as The Ghost, The King And I. Van Bavel played with Woody Shaw, Randy Brecker, Slide Hampton, Johnny Griffin, Bob Mintzer, Wynton Marsalis, Gary Willis a.o.