Robyn McCorquodale: Cruiseships

ROBYN "LIVE IN PERFORMANCE" AT SEA!

'A strong, ringing mezzo voice that's perfectly lovely and certainly polished.' ~ Show Business, NYC

PROMO PHOTOS

BIO International Performer / Pianist / Vocalist / Composer / Lyricist, Robyn McCorquodale spends her time on land and at sea, commuting between Vancouver and New York City, in between contracts headlining as Guest Entertainer on luxury cruise ships, traveling around the world.

In New York City, Robyn performs in a variety of venues in Manhattan, including Birdland, the Metropolitan Room, the Laurie Beechman Theater, Danny's Skylight Room, The Duplex, Swing 46 and Judy's Chelsea. She has also performed a regular engagement at Il Valentino Restaurant and Cafe Milou, singing with New York City's veteran big band leader and clarinetist, Sol Yaged, and his quartet. She has showcased her original music at the New York New Songwriters Series Showcase, been Guest Artist at Sacred Center and the Dutch Treat Club, entertained at several corporate events, and in various concert series, and made a couple of appearances on national live radio, as featured Guest Artist on the legendary, ‘The Joey Reynold’s Show’.

A songwriter and recording artist, Robyn released her CD of self-penned compositions, UP AHEAD, which receives radio airplay in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. She recorded her EP, TAKE MY HAND, comprising two more original songs - Take My Hand and Eternally - both offering uplifting messages for today's world. She is currently in the studio working on a new album, scheduled to be released later this year. Check back for more news on this project.

A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Robyn is a classically trained musician, first studying voice, piano, history and theory with the Toronto Conservatory of Music, and then earning her Bachelor of Music Degree in voice at The University of British Columbia. With a combined performance background in music, live theatre and television broadcasting, her first professional contract in music was a unique two-month overseas engagement on Borneo Island singing for the Sultan of Brunei. Next, she spent one year in Hong Kong's prestigious Convention Center's New World Harbour View Hotel, followed by performance opportunities in Japan, Dubai, the UK and Western Europe. She has performed extensively the last 15 years in luxury hotels and on exclusive cruise ships (Regent Cruises; Silverseas, Seabourn Cruise Lines; Cunard, Orient Lines; Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Saga Cruises) - taking her music to markets around the world, reaching all 7 continents. She has also entertained on the beautiful American Orient Express Train touring across Canada.

Robyn has performed in all of Vancouver's major hotels as well as made several live radio and television appearances in Canada. Her CD, UP AHEAD, features twelve songs, ten self-penned and two co-writes with her producer Michael Creber, formerly k.d. lang's Musical Director. The song - Sad Eyes - reflects her experience singing for one of the richest men in the world - 'winner ... perceptive and thought provoking ... a powerful song with strong lyrical impact and effective melody and music throughout - very touching and compassionate - great talent for songwriting ... a great voice.' ~ Great American Song Contest. The title track song from her EP - Take My Hand - has been praised as '... an uplifting anthem full of hope and celebration of the human spirit on a par with Burt Bacharach's 'What The World Needs Now Is Love'."

Robyn's performances in New York City continue to receive critical acclaim:

'Her wealth of talents: a strong yet nuanced singing voice; colorful, jazz-flavored piano work ... innate charm, intelligence and good spirits.' ~ Cabaret Scenes, NYC

'A powerhouse of many talents, poised and personable on stage.' ~ Electronic Link Journey, NYC

'Her vocals are extraordinary - crisp, clear and filled with color and shadowing.' ~ Cabaret Hotline, NYC

'A strong, ringing mezzo voice that's perfectly lovely and certainly polished.' ~ Show Business, NYC

'An uplifting anthem full of hope and celebration of the human spirit on a par with Burt Bacharach's What The World Needs Now Is Love.' ~ TAKE MY HAND - Electronic Link Journey, NYC

'Winner ... perceptive and thought provoking ... excellent both lyrically and musically ... great talent for songwriting ... a great voice.' ~ UP AHEAD ~ Great American Song Contest

REVIEWS
Peter Haas, Cabaret Scenes, NYC It was four years ago that the young Canadian singer/songwriter, Robyn McCorquodale, made a promising New York cabaret debut. This May, in a one-night engagement at the Laurie Beechman Theater, she more than fulfilled that promise. In a rare on-shore respite from world-wide cruise-ship performing, Robyn demonstrated her wealth of talents: a strong yet nuanced singing voice; colorful, jazz-flavored piano work; and her musical direction of the evening, featuring her own arrangements as she worked with bassist Ritt Henn and guitarist/banjoist Peter Calo. Selections ranged from her own material, including statements on topics of the day, to standards in fresh styles, such as up-tempo versions of My Favorite Things and Send in the Clowns - all bound together with Robyn's innate charm, intelligence and good spirits. In a more perfect world, Robyn should have her own room. Meanwhile, look for more of Robyn's planned forays onto land.

Laurie Lawson, Electronic Link Journey, NYC Robyn McCorquodale has a deep, rich voice with a delicious occasional quiver which allows her to offer a hauntingly sensual rendition of Cry Me A River, as well as an awe-struck and jubilant version of How Long Has This Been Going On? Her show at Danny's Skylight Room, Up Ahead, is a combination of standards and her own compositions. Worth the price of admission alone is her Take My Hand, an uplifting anthem full of hope and celebration of the human spirit on a par with Burt Bacharach's What The World Needs Now Is Love. And if singing and writing aren't enough in the talent field, McCorquodale throws in some mighty fine piano playing. She's accompanied by David Spinozza on guitar and Ritt Henn on bass. Up Ahead (she has a CD with the same title) is an evening of polished entertainment and fresh inspiring music. A powerhouse of many talents, poised and personable on stage - McCorquodale is a glorious addition to the cabaret scene.

Peter Leavy, Cabaret Scenes, NYC Robyn McCorquodale, a recently transplanted Canadian, made an impressive New York debut at Danny's Skylight Room with Up Ahead, a program of songs written by her and by others. Showing a keen appreciation of lyrics and sporting an agile and animated stage presence that complemented a compelling mezzo, she hit home on almost every number. With the able assistance of bassist Ritt Henn and guitarist Jon Herington, her rendition of the Gershwins' How Long Has This Been Going On was one of the show's high spots, with Johnny Mercer's and Harold Arlen's Come Rain or Come Shine not far behind. I Love Being Here With You, the Peggy Lee and Bill Schluger tune, was an upbeat winner, enhanced as were the others by Robyn's arrangement. She also clicked with Julie London's signature song, Cry Me a River, adding her own piano accompaniment to that of the bass and the guitar.

That said, this svelte blonde Canadian chanteuse whose professional career largely has been concentrated on luxury cruise ships and hotel lounges shone most brightly when singing her own story-songs. When I Turned Into Mother demonstrated an admirable facility for writing lyrics, and, unlike many other "mother" songs, this one was both funny and reverential. Even funnier was No More Black, a plaint about her one-color wardrobe, both outer- and underwear.

If being a critic means finding something to carp about, I'd have to complain about Robyn's rock-star microphone technique. Aside from the quality of sound, holding that microphone right up to her mouth, much to my distress, hid a very attractive face. For those who missed the show, she'll be returning to Danny's in April, May and June.