Robert Michaels

Robert Michaels: Juno Award winning Canadian artist

This country’s most accomplished Latin Jazz guitarist has won two Junos, achieved platinum and gold status with record sales, has legions of fans who are drawn back time and time again to every show and yet you likely don’t know his name.

It’s time you should. His name is Robert Michaels. He is incomparable. And you simply must see him.

"Flamenco's version of Led Zeppelin axe-god Jimmy Page" -- Ottawa Sun

"Every inch a dazzling guitarist" -- Ottawa Sun

"Just playing his six-string with dazzling flourishes of macho colour and, on occasion, with alarming speed" -- Ottawa Sun

"The people in the crowd are spellbound." "...they watch him, they listen, they are caught as Michaels music travels past the neck of the guitar and creates his signature sound. A sound so intense the listeners must hold their breath." -- Toronto Star

To see where Robert came from is to look at a fourteen year-old boy growing up in Toronto wanting, more than anything in the world, to learn how to play guitar. Initially his parents doubted his dedication and refused to buy him one. Undaunted, he picked up a piece of wood, drew on some frets and nailed six pieces of plain string on to it. He then sat in his room for hours on end practicing silent chords. Eventually his parents relented and bought him his first guitar and from that day he soared.

Robert Michaels released his debut CD Paradiso in 1996, and from that time has released 4 more albums. Following on from the success of 2003’s JUNO award-winning Allegro, the new self-titled album from ROBERT MICHAELS is now available. This 2-CD set includes both a vocal disc of beautiful new songs and an instrumental disc highlighting Robert’s unique acoustic guitar style.

Robert’s new album displays amazing growth and introduces a number of musical elements. In addition to his own vocals tracks it also includes renowned vocalist Jennifer Warnes (Famous Blue Raincoat) who makes a rare guest appearance on “So Sad”, and “Emporte-Nous” features acclaimed musical stage actress Louise Pitre (Mamma Mia!). Respected Canadian singers Luba and Coral Egan are also special guest vocalists.

This collection of 18 unique songs ranges in style from pop to flamenco. Much of Robert’s earlier recordings were described as “flamenco-jazz” but these new songs have a much broader musical palette. Robert explains, “From the beginning I didn’t play flamenco or Latin jazz in any traditional way. I had experience playing so many other styles that I merely incorporated all of the influences. My style was never planned. I arrived at it spontaneously while playing in front of the audiences.”

Through his tireless schedule of concerts and television appearances, Robert’s independently released debut album Paradiso went on to achieve Platinum status in Canada, selling over 100,000 copies – an incredible feat for any artist, but even more so for an instrumental musician. That success led to a second album, Arizona, which earned Robert a 1997 JUNO nomination for Instrumental Artist of the Year. His next release, Allegro, won the JUNO for Best Instrumental Album in 2003. Robert admits, “It’s all been word of mouth, really. Every time we did a show, people came up to us and asked where we were playing next and if they could buy an album. Then they’d show up and bring their friends and it just grew from there.”

Robert Michaels is currently performing in select Canadian cities
Please visit www.robertmichaels.com for new tour dates and locations