Robin Kallsen
Robin Kallsen
Vintage singing inspired by recordings from a century ago
The singers of the 1920s and 30s had such an enchanting vocal timbre, perfectly styled to work with the recording equipment at the time. It sounds almost classical, yet it's much more conversational than opera. Despite its charm, very few people sing this style today.
Robin Kallsen does. Classically trained under the tutelage of the one and only Marianne Weltmann, her voice brings to life the songs of these bygone days—through French chanson, vintage jazz and blues, tango, fado, and more.
The singers of the 1920s and 30s had such an enchanting vocal timbre, perfectly styled to work with the recording equipment at the time. It sounds almost classical, yet it's much more conversational than opera. Despite its charm, very few people sing this style today.
Robin Kallsen does. Classically trained under the tutelage of the one and only Marianne Weltmann, her voice brings to life the songs of these bygone days—through French chanson, vintage jazz and blues, tango, fado, and more.
PHOTO BY JULIA TAYON
An international vintage repertoire
Robin started singing for social dancers in Seattle's Argentine tango dance scene, trying to recreate the style of Golden Age superstars like Ada Falcon and Libertad Lamarque.
Gradually, she found her way to Seattle's jazz scene, always singing with an obvious 1920s and early '30s influence. Teaming up with saxophonist Kevin Buster, she sang and played upright bass at Pike Place Market.
People hearing the vintage singing style would often exclaim: "That sounds like Edith Piaf!"—a compliment Robin was always thrilled to hear. She dug into Piaf's extraordinary repertoire, brushing up on her French for the sake of the intense, theatrical chanson favorites like "Milord" and "L'Accordeoniste."
She now sings in several languages, including French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, and Arabic, and works to understand each one well enough to give the right expression to every word.
PHOTO BY LOU DAPRILE
What's coming up next?
October 2nd with Cyd Smith and Jennie Mayer at Cocoa Legato, 8-10pm—GET TICKETS HERE
October 3rd with Rob Lowe at WM Grassie Wine Estates (Duvall Tasting Room), 6-8pm
October 7th "Bebop, Boleros, & Bossa" with Laura Steeves, Rob Lowe, Dan Kramlich, Kyle Doran, and Osama Afifi at the Royal Room (Columbia City), 7:30-9:30pm—GET TICKETS HERE
October 17th with Trio Marianne at Ballard Wine Walk, 5-8pm
October 24th "Dear Abby: A Jazz Cabaret" with Angela Petrucci at Egan's Ballard Jam House, 7-9pm
October 29th with Trio Marianne at The Grape Choice (Kirkland), 5:30-7:30pm
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Performing experience
Robin has sung at the following venues in and around Seattle:
Cellar Cat
Cocoa Legato
The Colby Club
Egan's Ballard Jam House
Elsom Cellars
The Grape Choice
Millers Carnation
North City Bistro
OmCulture
The Owl 'n' Thistle
The Pink Door
The Rainier Club
Reverie Ballroom
The Royal Room
The Swedish Club
The Traveling Goat
WM Grassie
... and more!
Robin has sung (and sometimes played upright bass) at the following special events:
Dancing Til Dusk (Swing & Tango)
Edmonds Jazz Walk
Jackson Street Jazz Walk
Pike Place Market "Celebrate the Market"
Pike Place Market "Sunset Supper"
Seattle Tango Festival
Hire Robin for your next event
If you'd love to have vintage jazz and/or French music at your wedding, wine tasting, jazz walk, or other special occasion, email Robin at robinkallsenmusic@gmail.com.
For public events, Robin can design posters, write event descriptions, and promote things via social media so that the marketing work doesn't fall 100% on you.
For bands seeking to hire a 1920s-style jazz singer who can sing in French, Spanish, and multiple other languages, Robin's ability to create custom charts, sing a variety of keys, and learn songs quickly takes the friction out of gigs.
She can also introduce you to lots of great songs that you won't hear many other people doing!