Robyn Bennett, daughter of university professors grew up in Pennsylvania (USA). Music and dance have always been a big part of her life. She started jazz and ballet lessons at only 3 years old, piano lessons at 6, trumpet at 10 and she sang regularly in different choirs. Her early influences were eclectic, including Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Fleetwood Mac, Harry Connick Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, Willie Nelson, Billy Holiday and Billy Joel.
Robyn’s love of music, dance and the stage led her to musicals, performing in productions of West Side Story, Carousel and South Pacific. After high school, she left her small, rural town and headed for New York University where she studied in the musical theater program for two years. Having a hard time finding balance in the big city, seeking out calm and open spaces, she then continued her studies at the prestigious Vassar College where she graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts.
Having always been attracted to France and French culture, Robyn packed her bags and went to Paris to get a Masters degree in French literature at the Sorbonne. In 2006, she settled definitively in Paris and a new adventure began. She joined the cast of the musical Cabaret (Dir. Sam Mendes) which played for 2 years at the famous Folies Bergère theater. Dance captain of the cast, she also played the role of Texas and understudied the lead role of Sally Bowles.
It was during this production that Robyn met the trombone player, Ben van Hille. The chemistry they had together was instantaneous. The energy and emotion they shared on stage was infectious, and they decided that they had to make music together. After two self-produced albums comprised mostly of jazz standards, they put their songwriting skills together to create their first album of original songs. The Wait is released in 2013 and is a real success, helping to establish Robyn Bennett in the “big leagues”. The Song is You (2016) confirms this status.
In early 2019, a brand new album, Glow will be released. Robyn Bennett imposes her signature jazz style laced with swing and soul, all served with her exceptional voice and twelve tracks that will draw you in and won’t let you go until the final note.
WWW.ROBYNBENNETT.COM
