Biography

Jazz vocalist Ellen Robinson is a breath of fresh air. Her repertoire ranges from swinging, sparkling up-tempo rhythms to the hushed intensity of sensitive ballads. Celebrated for impeccable timing, clever phrasing and her expertise in telling a story with warmth and vulnerability, she does it all effortlessly, without artifice. The songs she writes and performs are full of quirky rhythms and catchy melodies — like the lady herself — upbeat and full of personality.

Vocalist, composer, musician, choral director, and educator, Ellen grew up on the east coast, where she began piano lessons at the age of nine and taught herself guitar 11. She sang in her high school chorus, studied piano in college, and later performed as a singer/songwriter in folk clubs in New York City.

Eventually moving to California, she embraced the world of jazz and has been performing as a jazz vocalist ever since. She has appeared in the San Francisco Bay area at Yoshi's, Paramount Theater, Freight & Salvage, the Jazzschool, Chapel of the Chimes, Storyville, and the Jazz and Blues by the Bay Festival, among many other venues.

"The urgency with which she delivers each tune is palpable. Her enthusiasm and love of the music is infectious. Her willingness to bare her soul through each song is courageous. We become privy to her journey…a ride through the joy, the pain, the celebration of life. It's all here."
- Melanie Berzon, KCSM

Ellen can be found performing in San Francisco Bay Area jazz clubs. She and her bandmates bring a joyous interplay to their performances. Their mutual respect and admiration are abundantly evident. Multi-talented pianist Murray Low has been nominated for two Grammys and also for 2008 Pianist of the Year by the Latin Jazz Corner. Sam Bevan a versatile bassist with tone, swing and chops, is solidly in-the-groove in any style from jazz to funk to Afro-Cuban and has worked with such notables as Roswell Rudd, David Grisman and Mary Wilson.  Kristen Strom one of the finest contemporary sax players has recorded with many renowned jazz and pop singers such as Kevin Mahogany and Natalie Cole, in addition to leading her own quintet. Drummer Dan Foltz has toured with Grammy winner Shelby Lynne and performs with Pan-Latin bands Ritmojito and Sombra y Luz.

Ellen has also enjoyed collaborations with many talented jazz musicians, including pianists Ken French and Ben Flint; bass players John Wiitala and John Schifflett; reed players Charles McNeal and Harvey Wainapel; and drummer Jeff Mars.

Ellen's latest CD entitled "Don't Wait Too Long" will be released in 2012. Her second CD "Mercy! Ellen Robinson Live" released in 2006, captures those transparent moments and passionate one-of-a-kind performances in a compilation of songs selected from four different concerts performed since her first CD "On My Way To You" released in 2001. She produced these recordings on her own EMR MUSIC label with the San Francisco Bay Area's well-loved drummer, GRAMMY nominated CD producer, concert producer, and former KCSM and KJAZZ radio host, Bud Spangler.

Ellen's singing is enriched by a firm foundation of education and training: she earned a Bachelor of Music degree focusing on piano and voice from Ithaca College, and studied Music Education on the graduate level in New York at C.W. Post, Hofstra University, Bank Street College of Education, and SUNY-Stony Brook. She has studied with the legendary Mark Murphy, jazz vocalist Madeline Eastman, scat singer extraordinaire Kitty Margolis, and cabaret performer Faith Winthrop.

Teaching and Directing

Ellen has been teaching singers and directing vocal groups for over 35 years and is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). Ellen started the Anything Goes Choruses in San Francisco and Oakland and has been the musical director since 1980. She also directs several women’s vocal groups in the Bay Area: Girlfriendz and Swingshift Singers and works with private voice students as a vocal coach.

In addition, she teaches at the Jazzschool in Berkeley and conducts musical theater workshops for seniors at Stagebridge in Oakland. She has been a Vocal Instructor on the faculty of U.C. Berkeley Extension and a Choral Conductor with the Oakland Youth Chorus.

"Ellen Robinson knows how to connect with an audience… she just lets it fly, and what happens is a lovely melodic parade."
Read the entire review of Ellen's CD "Mercy! Ellen Robinson Live" in All About Jazz by Jim Santella