ARI BROWN
ARTIST’S BRIEF BIO: Robin Watson’s (Jazzlady Robin) performance career has spanned a couple of decades through some of Chicago’s premier hotspots including Navy Pier, United Center, Peninsula Hotel, Como Inn, and Showboat, Empress and Majestic Star Casinos. She was a vocal performance major at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, where she merited solo performances at the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter and the United Nations and toured and Brazil, South America. Directly out of school she pursued musical theatre with remarkable successes early on. She then put her career on the shelf for over 15 years to pursue other interests and raise a family. She has since resumed her passion for musical performance and theatre. She was a featured singer/actress in Madhi Theater Company’s, “Chicago Bronzeville: the Musical” and “Testimony” and is developing a recording career.
ARTIST’S DETAILED BIO: Robin Watson is Jazzlady Robin. A jazz vocalist and leader, her vocal styling is described to be an appealing blend of Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Carmen McRae and Nina Simone, while her creativity is clearly influenced by that of her distant cousin, Ella Fitzgerald. Ms. Watson’s performance career has spanned decades through Chicago’s premiere jazz venues. She has wooed audiences from large stages - Petrillo Bandshell, GarfieldPark Conservatory, The Chicago Theatre, Pheasant Run, United Center, Odyssey Cruises, Showboat, Empress and Majestic Star Casinos- and more intimate music rooms at the Jazz Showcase, Peninsula Hotel, Braxton’s, Tuscany’s, John & Tony’s, Metropolitan Club, Union League Club, Como Inn, Backroom and Cotton Club. Ms. Watson has a BA in vocal performance from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA - where she merited solo performances at the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter, the United Nations, and a Brazilian tour. She now headlines her own combo with David Turner on piano, Ted Brewer on bass, & George Aparo on drums and is the featured vocalist for the premier band, Top Shelf. Robin Watson’s humor, energy and authenticity make her performances compelling and engaging. Hermaine Hartman of N’Digo says, “Watch this group, for they are going places.” Rhythm of Hope International talent agent, Kathy Kelly-Hahn says “Robin’s music is swinging, sultry and fun--whatever the style. Her tremendous showmanship qualities bring rave reviews; audiences love her, and the chemistry with her talented combo is great!” “Robin’s CD, ‘Drippin’ N Sugar N Blues,’ is just a taste of what this jazzlady has inside,” says WDCB Radio personality, Bruce Oscar. Robin ‘s “Billie Holiday Tribute” is really smooth and her “Paving the Road to Dublin” is both energetic and spirit-filled.
Ms. Watson has also performed in musical theatre, worked as a studio recording artist and served as sidewoman for Jazz Unlimited Big Band, the Al Fook Big Band, the E-Band and Steve Zuterek Trio. She has had the privilege to also have performed with many other renowned jazz artists; (among them) Harrison Bankhead, Paul Casino, Ken Chaney, Jim Cooper, Rich Corpolongo, Mel Davis, Bob Dogan, Johnnie Feran, Johnny Frigo, Johnny Gabor, Skip Green, Larry Hanks, Roger Harris, Steve Hart, Laura Hoffman, Scott Earl Holman, John Jeffries, Leon Joyce, Spencer Keys, Dennis Luxion, Vijay Tellis Nayak, Corky McClerkin, Frank Menzies, Harold Morrison, Tom Muellner, Dennis Murray, Bruce Oscar, Julie Ponce, Eric Remschneider, Theodis Rodgers, Cecile Savage, Nick Schneider, Skinny Williams, and Ken Wojicik.