Robin Gilmore always knew she had the gift of music from the time she was old enough to write! She started writing lyrics and hearing melodies in her head at an early age and then sharing them with others.
When people asked her what she would be when she grew up, she always responded with, “a singer!” Even though she tried many other things, she always felt the pull to return to her unfinished music projects which included a wide array of musical genres. Starting piano and voice lessons at an early age, theory was something Robin had no interest in as a musician. She recalls repeatedly being scolded by her piano teacher for refusing to complete the theory assignments that were included in her piano lessons as a child.
Later, as she became older and had created quite a number of songs that she sang and played on piano, as she started to forget them, she became more and more concerned she didn’t know how to transcribe the songs she wrote.
Eventually Robin decided to see if she could possibly be accepted into a music school for composing after attending a number of other schools and trying different things. She was surprised when she was offered a full scholarship if she could send the scores for the songs she had submitted on her audition tape. When they realized that she had no idea how to write out the music she created, they too were surprised but accepted her with the promise of a scholarship when she was able to compose her songs. With a degree in composing, Robin not only, by the end of her schooling, was able to compose the songs she had sent in on her audition tape but also able to orchestrate them. Now Robin is back at her music projects after a brief recess which entailed pursuing a law enforcement career and getting married. She devotes her time to various music projects which include finishing an original musical she is writing and composing herself, getting her jingle business off the ground, submitting her orchestral and choral works to music groups around the country, and also completing her jazz songbook which is all her original jazz standards that she hopes to publish soon!
Having started performing again, Robin hopes to promote her original standards as she sings them along with a diverse repertoire of other known favorites. She has had two wonderful pianists she feels blessed to be able to work with – Her long time friend, Chris Forman, one of Chicago’s favorites and Dick Goodwin who is well known in the midlands (mostly for his big band and reputation for composing and playing trumpet). Robin wishes she could be two places (or more) at one time but for now, she plans on performing in both areas as she considers them each to be a home away from home!
Biography
Billy Holliday, Nancy Wilson, Shirley Horn, Etta Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Mel Torme, Ella Fitsgerald and Diane Krall. She is also influenced by many of the musicians that she listens to.
Robin's sultry, seductive and swinging sound adds sparkle and elegance to any event. Her song repertoire is unparalleled, ranging from swing to soaring ballads.
Influences
Descriptive
Singing an original titled, Never Let Me Go, performed at the Green Mill in Chicago- November 2017 with Chris Forman on a B3 organ.
