 Robin
Ruscio is one of Colorado’s premier bassists. An equally
skilled musician on both acoustic and electric bass (including
the fretless and six string bass), Robin’s playing has
made him one of the most in demand musicians in the region.
He has performed with world-class jazz artists such as Ron Miles,
Nelson Rangell, and The U.S. Air Force Falconaires, as well
as with popular Colorado acts Lannie Garrett, The Pan Jumbies,
Senor Gato, The Darren Kramer Organization, Cojunto De Colores,
and The Yo Flaco Jazz Project. He has backed numerous national
jazz artists at the Jazz Aspen/Snowmass Festival, has appeared
in chamber performances with members of the Chicago Symphony
and New York Philharmonic, and at the Colorado Music Festival.
He appeared with the popular musical productions "Wicked",
"Spamalot", and "Three Mo' Divas". Robin
can also be found leading his own group performing his original
jazz compositions with top-notch Denver mainstays such as Jeff
Jenkins, Peter Sommer, Chris Lee, and Dave Devine.
In addition to his jazz appearances with virtually every significant
jazz musician in Colorado, Robin has had numerous sideman experiences
that reflect his diverse musical interests. He has a long running
relationship with the eclectic band The Mercury Project (with
whom he appeared at the Lodo Music Festival and as a guest on
their second album "Soapbox Jive"), and several of
their side projects. Other acts include The Tango Camerata,
Daddyblue, psychedelic fusion trio Cique, and the reggae group
Djaté.
Robin is one of the most established private bass instructors
in the Denver metro area, maintaining a studio of around 30
aspiring bassists. He has been a guest artist or clinician at
The University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Metro
State College, and several area elementary, middle, and high
schools. Always
branching out in new musical roles, Robin recently produced
and appeared on vocalist David Arthur's forthcoming debut recording,
and has been performing sporadically as an electric guitarist
in a few low profile situations.
Some of Robin’s highest profile moments came as a two-time
participant of the prestigious Henry Mancini Institute in 2001
and 2002, where he performed as both a jazz and orchestral bassist
with some of the biggest names in jazz and film, including Diana
Krall (at the Hollywood Bowl), Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones,
Dianne Reeves, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove,
Patti Austin, Johnny Mandel, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Vinnie
Colaiuta, John Clayton, Terri-Lynn Carrington, Peter Erskine,
and Jerry Goldsmith.
Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from
the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, where
he studied with esteemed bassist Ken Walker. While there, he
was one of the most highly awarded students to ever attend,
receiving over a half dozen awards and scholarships, including
Most Outstanding Undergraduate in Jazz, Most Outstanding Undergraduate
in Academic Achievement, and Most Outstanding Senior in Performance,
for which he was sent as a guest student and performer to the
Nagoya University of the Arts in Japan.He has also studied privately
with ECM jazz pianist Art Lande, acclaimed double bass soloist
Burt Turetzky, studio session legend Carol Kaye, and multiple
members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Robin also participated
in the 2003 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Academy under Christian
McBride.
|