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Sharon Robinson

A gorgeous, soulful alto that envelopes hooks and harmonies; a musically gifted mind that collaborates with Leonard Cohen; a pop sensibility that earns a GRAMMY Award with Patti LaBelle (“New Attitude”)–that’s Sharon Robinson: singer, songwriter, producer and artist.

Sharon’s 2008 debut solo album, “Everybody Knows,” received rave reviews in the US and UK from outlets such as Mojo, Jazziz, The Independent (UK) and the San Francisco Bay Guardian; eventually selling 15,000 units on a shoestring marketing budget—no small feat for an indie release in today’s world of shrinking sales. The set–which Leonard Cohen calls “a masterful work”–includes seven of her own compositions and three songs co-written with Cohen: the classics “Everybody Knows” and “Summertime” along with “Alexandra Leaving” from Ten New Songs, the critically acclaimed 2001 Cohen album which Robinson produced. The seductive electronic production of Ten New Songs is a through-line for Everybody Knows linking memorable melodies and complex emotional themes on the five new compositions and five favorite existing songs.

Although Everybody Knows comes in the third decade of her career, Robinson’s talent and versatility behind the scenes as a music producer, songwriter and background vocalist have allowed her to work with a diverse roster of notable artists including Stevie Nicks, Aaron Neville, Morris Day, Robbie Kreiger, Thelma Houston, Brenda Russell, Jennifer Warnes, Randy Crawford, Hamish Stuart and Matthew Wilder. Her co-write of the Top 10 hit “New Attitude” for Patti LaBelle led to three GRAMMY Award nominations and a win for Best Soundtrack Album (Beverly Hills Cop) in 1985. Her original compositions have also been featured in films such as Wonder Boys, Natural Born Killers, Pump Up The Volume, Stakeout and Wim Wenders’ Land of Plenty. But regardless of what project she’s involved with, her long-time friend and collaborator Cohen is never far out of the picture. Beginning in 2008, Robinson was a featured background vocalist on Cohen’s nearly three-year international tour; his first run of live performances since 1993. The set list for the show included five songs she co-wrote with Cohen, and showcased her arrangements of these co-written works.

It’s not surprising that Robinson has worked with such diverse personalities and in so many genres. Her affinity for all kinds of music developed at an early age. Born in San Francisco, her family moved to Los Angeles when she was five. A year later she began studying classical piano, and at age 12 started writing and recording her own songs. As a teenager, she devoured a steady diet of Motown and Atlantic radio hits while working at the family restaurant, and while at home, she listened to such greats as Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Stan Getz and Joni Mitchell. The influence of this musical stew led to Robinson recording a demo at the age of 16, which landed her a recording contract with a label that folded before her album was made. But there was a silver lining.

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35
Interview

Sharon Robinson: My Journey as an Artist Continues

Read "Sharon Robinson:  My Journey as an Artist Continues" reviewed by Nenad Georgievski


The seven years since singer and producer Sharon Robinson's debut album Everybody Knows have been transformative for her. She toured the world several times as part of the Leonard Cohen's band, for what is considered to be one of the most impressive comebacks in music history. The result to that are several live recordings, the last of which are Live in Dublin and Can't Forget that serve as a testament to the many great nights when the band played to ...

14
Interview

Sharon Robinson: The Essence of Our Lives

Read "Sharon Robinson: The Essence of Our Lives" reviewed by Nenad Georgievski


Producer, singer, arranger, songwriter--artist Sharon Robinson wears many hats. Although her work occurs mainly behind the scenes, her name and work are becoming increasingly known both as a collaborator and, in recent times, as an author in her own right. With more than 30 years in the music business, she began as a backing vocalist in a myriad of R&B bands, to become a successful producer and songwriter for the likes of Diana Ross, Don Henley, Rufus Wainwright, Aaron Neville ...

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Accolades for Leonard Cohen’s “Ten New Songs” (Produced & Co-written by Sharon)

“One of 100 Best Albums of the Decade” – Rolling Stone, December 2009

” After a half-decade on a Zen mountain, this bard of Montreal finds new insight within ordinary junk. The sound is electronica without beats; the lyrics are unfussily profound. The subject? Nothing heavy. Just life and death.” — Ann Powers, New York Times

10 Best Albums of 2001 “3. Ten New Songs: Leonard Cohen (Columbia): …a quiet stunner…. It includes two of the most seductive songs you’ll hear this year: “In My Secret Life,” about being haunted by romance past, and “The Land of Plenty….” – David Browne, Entertainment Weekly

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Caffeine

Self Produced
2015

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Everybody Knows

Freeworld Records
2008

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