Robin Bessier

Trained in classical music by my opera-singing mother, I began singing publicly in church at the age of 4 and throughout my growing-up years sang in musical theater, various choral groups, and solo classical recitals. I took piano and guitar lessons on and off throughout the years as well, but was not a disciplined student, preferring to improvise around the themes of the music I was charged with learning. Tellingly, the only song I ever did justice to on the piano was Saint James Infirmary, a song in one or my lesson books, but not one I had been assigned to learn. In retrospect it’s clear I was genetically predisposed towards jazz. And indeed, it was my first exposure to jazz, the first week as a freshman at Western Washington State University, that truly ignited my passion for music. Within the first month at the University, I began composing music on guitar and piano. My new-found love of jazz was further fueled just weeks into my freshman year when I came home from college for a weekend to discover the newly opened Red Kelly's Conservatory of Music in Tumwater, Washington. It was here that I enjoyed the mentorship – and political perspective - of some of the jazz community’s finest singers and players – and Owl Party politicians -- including barkeep and bassist Red Kelly; and pianist Jack Perciful, who were fresh off a 17-year stint with the Harry James Band. Whether in-house or visiting talent, the music was all first- rate, intoxicating and informative to my open and eager ears. Perhaps most influential to my early jazz education was the extraordinary vocalist, Jan Stentz. She took over as the house singer after Ernestine Anderson’s run there. (Ernestine had left the jazz scene for several years, and it was here at Red Kelly’s where she re-launched a career that is now legion.) Although Jan Stentz may not be known widely outside the NW, those who were blessed to know her, and hear her, consider her among the finest of jazz singers to grace the planet. And it was Jan, Jack Perciful and bassist Chuck Deardorf who were among the featured performers for the "Grand Opening" of my jazz club/restaurant, "All That Jazz Cafe" in Olympia, a well-loved, if short-lived venture. Over the years, I've studied with several notable Northwest jazz artists, including Joe Baque, Kelley Johnson and Greta Matassa; and most recently pianist/composer/arranger/producer extraordinaire, Barney McClure, who produced my debut CD "Other Side of Forever" released in 2013, that immediately hit the top 40 jazz slot where it stayed for several weeks. It's time for another CD, and this time I'm going to step out and focus on my own original material -- with the possible addition of a song or two done by a couple of my jazz buddies. Stay tuned....