Bio

Robin Greenstein is a singer-songwriter from NYC whose music is a mix of folk, pop, rock, blues, country and jazz. She calls her music “Acousticness.” Imagine a female James Taylor; strong finger-picking, soulful, rootsy songs with sophisticated pop influences. Soulful singing and memorable original songs make a lasting impact on her audiences. Her songs have been recorded on Fast Folk and Atlantic Records. She was picked for a finalist spot at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival Songwriting competition (1989) in Texas on her very first application. Robin was also signed to Bob Dylan’s publishing company as a writer for two years. She has performed in over 43 states and several countries including China, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Holland and Denmark.

Robin performed extensively for college audiences across the U.S.for two decades in addition to playing at various folk venues. Her first album “SLOW BURN” was released initially as an independent in 1989. It was subsequently picked up for release in Europe by Swiss label BRAMBUS Records and received rave reviews. Robin did her first European tour in 1994 and has part of every summer for the rest of that decade touring Europe, especially Denmark. She had a CD “Slow Burn” released on Brambus Records in Europe. In 1997 Band Together Records re-released SLOW BURN on CD in the USA. Robin’s second CD “Acousticness” was released in 2000. Her third CD “Images of Women”, is the first in a series of volumes which explore folk and blues songs about women, as an adjunct to her concert-lecture of the same name (see below)

Robin has won music competitions at the Riverbank/Walden Radio Folk Festival and the NJ Folk Festival, and showcased at both the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, the NJ Folk Festival, The Napa Folk Festival and Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference. But her favorite gig of recent years was singing the national anthem at Madison Square Garden in NYC for her beloved New York Knicks!

Robin plays both guitar and banjo. Her superb musicianship, powerful songs, strong singing and relaxed performing style win over audiences everywhere. She majored in Music at SUNY-Stony Brook with a concentration in Classical Guitar). Describing her music as “Acousticness”, Robin mixes many styles of music – folk, pop, rock, jazz and blues- in an acoustic base. In a show, you might hear a jazz standard, a blues song, or a instrumental banjo dance tune scattered among her original compositions. Her music has the musical sophistication of James Taylor with the lyrical sensitivity of Joni Mitchell, and strong vocals like Linda Ronstadt or blues-influenced like Bonnie Raitt.

Robin does a concert-lecture entitled “Images of Women,” a look at women’s lives thru traditional Anglo and Afro-American folk songs, as well as family and children’s programs (see “Other Shows”). She is eligible for Meet The Composer grants as well as BOCES. She was a performer-clinician for Martin Guitars and teaches privately in the New York City area when she’s not on the road (lessons in guitar, banjo, uke and voice), both privately and at the 92nd Street Y.

For further information, e-mail ReachRobin@robingreenstein.com

Awards and Distinctions

1977 - Quarter Finalist,American Song Festival
1978 - Awarded a Federal CETA Grant for performing artists, NYC
1980 - Signed to Bob Dylan's publishing company Special Rider Music
1989 - Kerrville Folk Festival,finalist, New Folk Competition
1993 - Chosen as a touring artist for Penn State Cultural Arts Series
1993 - Nominated Best Female Entertainer,Campus Activities Today, Reader's Choice Awards
1994 - First tour of Europe
1995 - Riverbank Folk festival competition - winner
1996 - New Jersey Folk Festival New Folk Competition - winner
          Selected for New Artist Showcase at Falcon Ridge Festival
          Selected to showcase at Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference
1997 - Informal showcase at NEFA, showcased at NACA Pac NW Conference
1998 - Showcase, NACA and APCA conventions; "Montel Williams" show
1999 - Finalist, NAPA Valley Folk Festival Songwriting Contest, Napa,CA
          Voted 1999 Outstanding Associate Member, NACA East Coast Region
          Featured in the video HOW TO GET THE GIGS THAT PAY BIG BUCKS.
2000 - New CD "Acousticness" released. Begins working with Martin Guitars.
2001 - Begins working as a headline Entertainer for the Renaissance Cruise Line.  
2002 - Performs in China with Martin Guitars.  
2003 - New CD"Images of Women", featuring traditional Anglo and Afro-American folksongs; released.
2008 - Returns to Japan to perform as part of the Hiroshima Initiative, a series of peace concerts to commemorate Universal Peace Day.
2010 - New CD "Images of Women, Vol. 2" released - makes first ballot for the 2010 Grammy Awards in "Best Traditional Folk" category.  
          "Songs of the Season" holiday CD released.
2015 - Winner, Singer-Songwriter competition, South Florida Folk Festival.
2016 - New CD "Tears and Laughter" due for release.


Discography

* Fast Folk - 2 songs on the Fast Folk Recordings
* Atlantic Records: Janice Payson "Person to Person" (2 songs co-written with Janice Payson: 
"Thieves In The Night"; and "Dreams Come True.")
Robin’s Recordings:

” Songs of the Season”
 – (CD) A multi-cultural holiday music CD featuing songs from Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Yule and New Years. Performed by Robin Greenstein and Cecilia Kirtland with other musical guests. Sung in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Ladino, Yiddish, German, Swedish and Yoruban.


” Images of Women, Vol. 1″ 
– (CD) Traditional folk and blues songs, all about women. Recorded in an “O Brother” style. Very acoustic production. This CD features lots of banjo, acoustic guitar, string bass, some fiddle and harmonica. 13 songs. Windy Records


” Images of Women, Vol. 2″ 
– (CD) Released 2010. More traditional folk and blues songs about women including three songs composed in the 20th Century by Woody Guthrie, Peggy Seeger and Christine Lavin. Percussion and drums in addition to banjo, acoustic guitar, string bass, fiddle, harp, flute and harmonica. 14 songs. Windy Records


“Acousticness”; (CD only). 12 songs (11 original songs by Robin, one song by Bob Dylan). Two of the tracks were recorded in New Orleans with members of Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown’s band. Full production. Windy Records


“Slow Burn”
 – (LP, cassette and CD). Brambus Records outside
 the U.S, Band Together Records and Windy Records in the U.S.
Robin’s debut CD.The LP and cassette version have 10 songs; (9 original, 1 cover); the CD has 14 songs (12 original, 2 covers). A collection of
 mostly original music with full backing band on most track, featuring ace NY session musicians. Two covers: “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”, both done acoustically.

“Art Is A Language” – (CD and cassette) Music for the young at heart.
 Includes 2 original songs, traditional banjo tunes and contemporary children’s music. Production includes guitar, banjo, fiddle, bass, and assorted special sound effects. Windy Records.