Irene Robbins profile picture

Irene Robbins

So glad you came to visit......

About Me


“One of the hottest new inventive pianists in jazz today” Roy Brooks
“... a passionate vocal stylist and expressive pianist” Michael G. Nastos (Ann Arbor News, Coda, Cadence, Downbeat)
“...noted for her virtuosity that is both modern and lyrical” I Punti Verdi Giancarlo Roncaglia (Torino, Italy)

Born in Detroit she was greatly influenced by jazz musicians there, and especially her father, a drummer, who was active in the jazz scene and radio in Detroit during the bebop era. She started on violin at 7, then moved to piano a year later studying jazz piano from the start, reading through the real and fake books cover to cover. Starting her studies in music therapy, she found more satisfaction in piano and choir direction and recieved her degree in those fields at Michigan State Univesity. Soon after her graduation she came over to Italy and almost immediately began performing in festivals around Europe. Back and forth from the United States to Europe she has performed with prominent musicians in jazz and contemporary music, and has kept two residences since she still feels her roots in Detroit musically.When in Detroit she performed with Marcus Belgrave, the father of Detroit jazz, teacher to Geri Allen and James Carter. She has often seeked collaborations with women jazz artists like Marion Hayden and Keiko McNamara and toured with Keiko in Japan and Italy. In Italy she played with Carlo Actis Dato and later with Enrico Rava, Giulio Capiozzo and also with interternational figures like Tommy Campbell and Tony Remy.
Noted for her energetic performances and communicative style, she always seems to find a way to mesh colors and find an original approach to the music. This energy is well distributed into her numerous projects as vocalist and pianist in her many projects in different styles, but always with a fresh touch and originality.
Irene is one of the founding members of I.J. Jazz (Detroit) as well as C.M.C. (Italy), and has helped organise jazz festivals promoting jazz on an international level.
She holds workshops on vocal experimentation “finding your voice” “the spirit of gospel” and “voice therapy” and teaches both piano and voice privately, in schools and during jazz festivals.
She has performed with Marcus Belgrave, Tommy Campbell, Enrico Rava, Tony Remy, Carlo Actis Dato, Rodney Whitaker, Ivano Borgazzi, Keiko McNamara, Michael Rosen, Fabrizio Puglisi, Giulio Cappiozzo, Claudio Lodati, Furio Di Castri, Christian Calcagnile, Marcello Magliocchi, Marion Hayden, Fiorenzo Sordini, Francisco Mora, Lawrence Williams.
Concerts in the U.S.: Detroit, Chicago, New York; Japan, Switzerland, France, Germany, England, Italy.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/21/2007
Band Website: irenerobbins.com myspace.com/irenerobbins
Band Members: Nica's Dream:Live cut from concert in Teatro Alghieri Ravenna
Tommy Campbell 5tet featuring Michael Rosen sax sop and Irene Robbins voice with Ivano Borgazzi piano, Fabrizio Puglisi bass.
Su-She-Duo Hei Sei: Live cut from Teatro Yamagata Japan with Keiko McNamara piano,composer and Irene Robbins voice.
In and Out Ivano Borgazzi piano, Glauco Zuppirolli bass
Temperament Women's ensemble by Irene Robbins pianist/vocalist/composer
Robbins-Sordini Project Fiorenzo Sordini drums, Irene Robbins piano voice, Ramon Moro trumpet, Andrea LaMacchia bass
The Soul-Funk Corner Irene Robbins voice, Ivano Borgazzi piano, Stefano Cappa bass, Stefano Paolini drums, guest James Thompson sax,voice
Irene Robbins presents the MOTOWN MOTION 12 piece Motown group led by Detroit singer www.myspace.com/motownmotionirenerobbins
Born to Swing Big Band directed and arranged by Michael Brusha Tim Trevor Briscoe, Jon Worrell, Andrea Zucchi saxes Irene Robbins voice
Street Noise Urban Jazz Enzo Bracco percussioni, Tony Remy guitar, Bob Franceschini sax, Ivano Borgazzi keyboards, Stefano Cappa bass, Adriano Molinari drums, collab Irene Robbins voice
www.myspace.com/streetnoiseurbanjazz
Influences: I listen to all instruments, so many types of music. My first influence was my father (drummer), friend of Thad Jones. First song I learned Lullaby of Birdland at 8. Later I fell in love with: Betty Carter, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Rachel Farrell, Sarah Vaughn, Michel Camillo, Charlie Haden, Max Roach, Cecil Taylor, Mingus..... will the list ever end??
Sounds Like: "Me of course!"
09/07/2007 08:00 PM - Private venue Bologna
09/13/2007 06:00 PM - Bologna Fondente Jazz at Excelsior Star Hotel Bologna
09/21/2007 08:00 PM - Alba Filippo Cosentino Irene Robbins Cuneo
09/22/2007 09:00 PM - Alba Notte Bianca Alba, Cuneo
09/23/2007 04:00 PM - Bologna Michael Brusha 5tet Festa del Unità Bologna
09/29/2007 10:00 PM - Bologna Blue Eyes at Scuderia Bologna
10/05/2007 08:00 PM - Blue Eyes at Novotel Castenaso, Bologna
10/18/2007 08:00 PM - Blue Eyes at Randaggio Bologna
10/19/2007 08:00 PM - Blue Eyes at Randaggio Bologna
10/20/2007 08:00 PM - Milano Born to Swing Orchestra Milano
10/26/2007 10:00 PM - On the Soft Side Trio Bologna
10/27/2007 08:00 PM - In and Out Villa Fondo Tagliata Carpi, Modena Collegium Celebration Benefit Dinner
10/30/2007 09:00 PM - Blue Eyes at Dozza Prison Bologna
11/03/2007 08:00 PM - Blue Eyes at Scuderia Bologna
11/05/2007 08:00 PM - Blue Eyes at Savoia Hotel Bologna
11/08/2007 09:00 PM - TEMPERAMENT at Villa5 Collegno, Torino
11/09/2007 08:00 PM - TEMPERAMENT at BRASS AND REEDS JAZZ FESTIVAL LIVORNO
11/10/2007 01:00 PM - Private venue Molinella, Modena
11/10/2007 08:00 PM The Soul Funk Corner Bagnacavallo, Ravenna
11/19/2007 10:00 PM - Michael Brusha Swing Duo Casalecchio (BO)
11/23/2007 08:00 PM - Born to Swing Teatro Comunale Russi, Bologna
11/24/2007 08:00 PM - Blue Eyes at Scuderia Bologna
12/02/2007 11:00 PM - "THE SOUL- FUNK CORNER" at Let’s Go Pepper Ozzano, Bologna
12/03/2007 10:00 PM - "Ella and Ellington" Casalecchio (BO)
12/08/2007 09:00 PM - private venue Bologna
12/14/2007 08:00 PM - Born to Swing Orchestra Teatro Comunale di Lugo
12/14/2007 09:00 PM - Mantova Gospel Choir
12/15/2007 09:00 PM - Cuneo The Gospel Spirit
12/16/2007 09:00 PM - Monza The Gospel Spirit Monza, Milano
12/18/2007 08:00 PM - Verona Gospel Choir Verona
12/19/2007 09:00 PM - Gospel Workshop Casalecchio (BO)
12/21/2007 08:00 PM - Blue Eyes plays for VOLVO Bologna
12/22/2007 09:00 PM - private venue Bologna
12/22/2007 10:00 PM - Born To Swing Orchestra at Arteria Bologna
12/30/2007 08:00 PM - TEMPERAMENT at WOMA JAZZ FESTIVAL Salsamaggiore (Mo)
12/31/2007 08:00 PM - Genova Private venue Sestri Levante, Genova
01/26/2008 09:00 PM TALKING PICTURES Bologna Balmoral
01/29/2008 15:00 PM Gospel Private Venue
02/01/2008 10:00 PM Ginger Tea Primo Caffè Bologna
02/02/2008 10:00 PM private venue Bologna
02/10/2008 17:00 PM Il Giardino dei Suoni Sorsi e Morsi
02/15/2008 09:00 PM - TEMPERAMENT at LUCCA JAZZ FESTIVAL
02/16/2008 10:00 PM Graffiti Music Scuderia Castellamonte
02/22/2008 10:00 PM Blues in Red Balmoral Bologna
03/06/2008 09:00 PM - BATARD Modena Irene Robbins Queen Blues Band San Prospero, Modena
03/08/2008 09:00 PM Randaggio Bologna
03/22/2008 09:00 PM TALKING PICTURES 1° Piano Caffé Fidenza,Parma
04/05/2008 10:00 PM Scuderia Castelmaggiore Bo
04/12/2008 08:00 PM Private Venue Trio
04/26/2008 08:00 PM - Private venue Molinella, Modena
05/03/2008 10:00 PM Born to Swing Orchestra at Arteria Bologna
06/13/2008 09:00 PM Alba Filippo Cosentino Trio Croce Rossa
07/24/2008 08:00 PM Ivano Borgazzi 4tet Puglia
07/25/2008 08:00 PM Ivano Borgazzi 4tet Puglia
10/19/2008 08:00 PM Rosa Celebration Teatro Europa Bo
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None