Biography
Robin Adler shares with numerous vocalists from her era a profound admiration for the bold, independent musical ethos of Joni Mitchell. Exposure during adolescence to recordings by Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday first ignited her curiosity about jazz. Yet only upon encountering Mitchell’s work in the 1980s did Adler begin to view a singing career as a tangible prospect. She pursued formal instruction with Robert Edwards, regarded among Los Angeles’s stronger vocal coaches, and subsequently worked with Latin-jazz singer Kevyn Lettau.
Her entry into professional circles was furthered by jazz guitarist Peter Sprague, who booked her debut performance for New Year’s Eve 1990. Together with Sprague and her husband, drummer David Blackburn, Adler recorded her debut release, It’s About Time, issued on her own Righteous Ride Records imprint at the close of 1998. The collection makes Mitchell’s imprint on Adler unmistakable. Its repertoire traverses jazz, classic standards, folk-rock, new age textures, and a blues-inflected number. Vocalists such as Holly Cole, Dianne Reeves, and Katie King likewise favor this eclectic stylistic mix on their own projects. In the manner of Mitchell, Adler composes several of her own pieces; two appear on the album.
She assembled a working group comprising Blackburn, pianist Barnaby Finch, and bassist Kevin Hennessey. The ensemble appears regularly at jazz clubs throughout Southern California.
Her entry into professional circles was furthered by jazz guitarist Peter Sprague, who booked her debut performance for New Year’s Eve 1990. Together with Sprague and her husband, drummer David Blackburn, Adler recorded her debut release, It’s About Time, issued on her own Righteous Ride Records imprint at the close of 1998. The collection makes Mitchell’s imprint on Adler unmistakable. Its repertoire traverses jazz, classic standards, folk-rock, new age textures, and a blues-inflected number. Vocalists such as Holly Cole, Dianne Reeves, and Katie King likewise favor this eclectic stylistic mix on their own projects. In the manner of Mitchell, Adler composes several of her own pieces; two appear on the album.
She assembled a working group comprising Blackburn, pianist Barnaby Finch, and bassist Kevin Hennessey. The ensemble appears regularly at jazz clubs throughout Southern California.
Albums