Robin Hackett: A Folksy Jazz Artist's Musical Journey
I explore music. I explore art. I explore life.
Early Steps of a Folk Jazz Artist
At age seven, I took piano lessons at St. George Catholic elementary school in Chicopee, Massachusetts. I took 2 lessons a week for $2.50. Not $2.50 per lesson. It was per week. can you believe that?
That is when my career began.
A few years later, I taught myself to play the guitar. My family and I lived in a small village along the Rhine River in Germany. American telvision did not come on until 5pm. It went off the air at 10pm. It was crappy old black and white shows from the 60s. I had no interest in it.
My older brother had a guitar he wasn't using. Curious me picked it up. My dad bought me a book called, "Learn to play the guitar in ten days." I did.
Richie Havens, John Denver, Janis Ian, Glen Campbell were some of the first songs I learned. It would not be until Joni Mitchell's Court and Spark album that I started writing songs and developing my own voice. Later I would fall in love with Joni's album, Hejira. A friend/voice teacher turned me on to singing jazz standards. Then I began to mix folk and jazz. It felt real nice for me and my voice. I felt like I could express more - real, raw emotions.
New York City
I was scared when I first moved to New York City, but when I look back, I was brave. I'm proud of myself for that. I went to open mics. Then I started playing local shows in Greenwich Village with another vocalist/piano player. We wrote an album of songs - John Moore and Robin Hackett. Check it out some time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM52h7nF8Cw&list=RDfM52h7nF8Cw&start_radio=1
It was in New York that I seasoned my art. I listened and played. I wrote and I grew. I refined and I kept my style true to me despite record label's narrow view of what I "should' be singing and playing.
Crafting the Sound
I think my voice is the key element to my sound. It soothes. It pulls you in. In the past I I have been labeled folk, but I think my music is much more expansive. I love using jazz musicians to play for me. They bring in different voicings and subtleties that caress my senses. It is my happy place
Melody. Melody. Melody. I consider myself, the melody queen. I love melodies and can whip one out in a minute. I can make a melody from the hum of a vacuum cleaner or the subway train leaving the station. Then I let the lyrics tell stories. Stories of life, love, healing, change and transformation.
In all these years, I have not changed to suit the masses and yet I think my songs have mass appeal. I steer clear of the gatekeepers and chart my own course. Onward and upward.
Acting and Writing
I am pure creativity. I discovered acting when I was 7 and did my first production then. I admit that music took over when it entered my life. But I have acted professionally on and off through the years.
I ran a community theater. I have written one-act plays, 4 books and a screenplay. I am sure the writing and the acting feed aspects of my music. They contribute to shaping my storytelling and perhaps bringing more depth to my creative voice.
Speaking and Sharing
I love speaking at events. It is where I get to share my life journey and all that I have been gifted with. Speaking allows me to engage with and inspire others. My father once said to a friend, "My daughter genuinely loves people and connecting with them." He was spot on.
My talks are short. You'll get to know more about my story. The passion that kept me going, the challenges and adversities that finally lead to my celebrated victories. I hope whatever stage I step on, folks will walk away uplifted and inspired.
Finding Robin Hackett Music
To find out more about me and my work, visit robin hackett music. The site has songs, videos, and updates. It is a hub for fans and new listeners. Go there and roam.
Comments