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Robin McKelle

I Must Have That Man

self-released
Release Date: February 4, 2022

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Robin McKelle Live Session for Jazz FM
Robin McKelle & the Flytones - Stax Soul Session - 1
Robin McKelle - Lyla
1 I Must Have That Man  

A continued nod to female songwriters, Robin McKelle releases another bonus track from her previous 2010 album; “Mess Around” – I Must Have That Man 

"I've wanted to do this kind of album for a long time. It's a project that spans a number of genres: soul, blues and jazz - all musical styles I love and which define my personality. It's an organic, flesh-and-blood record, recorded with musicians close to me. It has quite a 60s flavor, inspired by the albums Ray Charles and Nina Simone were making at the time." – Robin McKelle

“i must have that man” written by dorothy fields and duke ellington, was recorded by Robin in 2009 but was never released on the full-length ‘Mess Around’ album. It was recorded by master engineer joe ferla and features, aaron goldberg on piano, peter slavov on bass, and mark mclean on drums. The vocals were recut and the tune remixed in 2021. time to dig deep into the vault!

Robin McKelle's husky warm contralto more than measures up to these rhythm 'n' blues songs on her newest release, Mess Around (out on E1 Music on Tuesday, May 4th), which perfectly suits her natural expressiveness. As one jazz diva after another took to the airways, Robin (originally from Rochester, New York) needed to stand out from the competition in record shops. "On stage, people have an idea of who I am. I've always made room for this kind of repertoire in my concerts, but on record, it took me a while to express this character trait, this enthusiasm. I'm obviously not in the same category as Diana Krall or Norah Jones, so I might as well deal with it since that's the way it is (laughter)."

  • Robin McKelle in Berlin / Gina loves Jazz
    Posted At: April 15, 2022 12:00 AM
    gina loves jazz writes…..Mainly playing tracks from her most recent album “Alterations” (2020), powerhouse vocalist and brilliant songwriter Robin McKelle stopped by in Berlin last night for the last show of her European leg (she will come back next month, see dates below). Since her latest is her most well-rounded and satisfying set to date, her show was a pleasure and pure joy to attend. She deserves much...
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  • Robin McKelle's 'I Must Have That Man' makes JAZZIZ Editors Choice
    Posted At: March 24, 2022 12:00 AM
    Robin McKelle's husky warm contralto more than measures up to the rhythm 'n' blues songs on her 2009 Eone Music release, Mess Around. The album perfectly suits her natural expressiveness. As one jazz diva after another took to the airways, Robin (originally from Rochester, New York) needed to stand out from the competition in record shops. "On stage, people have an idea of who I am. I've always made room fo...
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  • Robin McKelle's 'I Must Have That Man' makes JAZZIZ playlist
    Posted At: March 21, 2022 12:00 AM
    The editors of JAZZIZ have the good fortune of being able to listen to new music before it’s officially released in stores and streaming platforms. And because we’re listening to new tunes all the time, we know just what to recommend. That’s why, each Monday, we’ll be bringing you a roundup of ten songs, featuring music from our favorite new albums, singles and other tunes that may have flown under your rad...
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  • Robin McKelle - How Do I Let a Good Man Down makes JAZZIZ: The Week in Jazz
    Posted At: September 27, 2021 12:00 AM

    To celebrate the 15 year anniversary of Robin McKelle's debut album, she has released a big band cover of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, 'How Do I Let A Good Man Down.' Recorded on the original session in 2006 but never released on the full length album, the track is a nod to the great Ms. Jones and a walk down memory lane with the incredible LA big band that Robin was fortunate to work with...
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  • 102.9KCXL: Kansas City catches up with Robin McKelle to talk 'Alterations,' and lockdown Paris style
    Posted At: August 25, 2020 12:00 AM

    Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Singer Robin McKelle  .. We caught up with Robin in Paris to talk about the 2020 CD Alterations that came out in February 2020 and this odd COVID-19 world of no live jazz .. On this new  album she delves into the catalogue of some of the most celebrated women of song, interpreting these masterworks through the lens of the jazz...
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  • 97.9 Bandon Community Radio's 'Deep Dive' spotlight features; Robin McKelle - Alterations
    Posted At: August 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    Bandon Community Radio Producer Chip Cassin explores some of KBOG's favorite recording artists with in-depth interviews on a personal level and then airs them, along with their new music, on the show Deep Dive, Saturdays 12-2pm. The Global Artist Spotlight features; Robin McKelle "Alterations." Vocalist Robin McKelle delves into the catalogue of some of the most celebrated women of song, interpreting...
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  • Robin McKelle - Alterations makes JAZZIZ: Vinyl Watch
    Posted At: May 31, 2020 12:00 AM

    Vinyl is back! Each month on "Vinyl Watch," we list some of the most noteworthy new vinyl releases - including new albums, reissues, special-edition box sets and more. At JAZZIZ, we share the vinyl community's appreciation of the experience of collecting and playing vinyl records. As an increasing number of music fans discover the joy of vinyl, we hope these lists will serve as a starting point for new m...
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  • 89.9 WUCF: Orlando Interviews Robin McKelle
    Posted At: May 14, 2020 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle released her new album Alterations on Doxie Records in February. On it, McKelle delves into the catalogue of some of the most celebrated women of song, interpreting these masterworks through the lens of the jazz idiom. McKelle follows in a long tradition of female song interpreters, lending her sultry vocal stylings to classics by a diverse list of female innovators including Dolly Parton, ...
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  • 'Red Crystal' from Jake Shimabukuro 'Trio' featured on Punto Radio: animajazz
    Posted At: May 4, 2020 12:00 AM

    In episode 917 of "ANIMAJAZZ", conceived and conducted by BRUNO POLLACCI , broadcast on TUESDAY 5 May at 20.30, on PUNTORADIO, also streaming on www.puntoradio.fm and in an immediate podcast on http: // animajazz. eu will be the protagonists of the evening, includes; JAKE SHIMABUKURO - Cd "Trio" - "Red Crystal" Referred to as "the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele," Jake Shimabukuro is a true vir...
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  • KSCO - Santa Cruz interviews Robin McKelle
    Posted At: April 30, 2020 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle released her new album Alterations on Doxie Records in February. On it, McKelle delves into the catalogue of some of the most celebrated women of song, interpreting these masterworks through the lens of the jazz idiom. McKelle follows in a long tradition of female song interpreters, lending her sultry vocal stylings to classics by a diverse list of female innovators including Dolly Par...
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  • Robin McKelle 'Head High' from 'Alterations' makes Pisa's PUNTO RADIO: animajazz
    Posted At: April 13, 2020 12:00 AM

    In episode 914 of "ANIMAJAZZ", conceived and conducted by BRUNO POLLACCI , broadcast on TUESDAY April 14 at 20.30, on PUNTORADIO, also streaming on www.puntoradio.fm and in an immediate podcast on http: // animajazz. eu will be the protagonist - ROBIN McKELLE - CD "Alterations" - "Head High (feat Keith Loftis)." Robin McKelle is pleased to announce the February 14th, 2020 release of her new album Alt...
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  • Robin McKelle - Alterations makes 'Something Else - an occasional look at music that?s been in my car lately'
    Posted At: March 2, 2020 12:00 AM

    Bela Fleck, Robin McKelle and Delfeayo Marsalis are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that's been in my car lately … There's a danger in navigating well-worn pop standards. Singer Robin Michelle seems to jump into the challenge with both feet. The resulting album, Alterations, shows that fortune does indeed favor the bold. Michelle's take on "Ordinary...
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  • Robin McKelle follows in a long tradition of female song interpreters on 'Alterations' / BroadwayWorld
    Posted At: February 17, 2020 12:00 AM

    Vocalist Robin McKelle delves into the catalogue of some of the most celebrated women of song, interpreting these masterworks through the lens of the jazz idiom on her new album Alterations. McKelle follows in a long tradition of female song interpreters, lending her sultry vocal stylings to classics by a diverse list of female innovators including Dolly Parton, Sade, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Janis Joplin, ...
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  • Robin McKelle chooses to fuse, on 'Alterations' / MAKING A SCENE
    Posted At: February 17, 2020 12:00 AM

    Alterations is jazz vocalist/composer Robin McKelle's follow-up to her 2018 Melodic Canvas which we covered on these pages. While that was mostly an album of originals, McKelle chooses here to, as she says, "fuse jazz, soul, r&b, blues and rock while keeping continuity in the music." These are mostly familiar songs from some of the most celebrated women in song interpreted through a jazz lens. They i...
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  • Robin McKelle's 'Alterations' is a tornado of emotions / france musique interview
    Posted At: February 14, 2020 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle, the songwriter is growing. "Alterations" which is published by Doxie / Membran / Sony, is a particularly endearing album, in form - a tornado of emotions, of climaxes interpreted with confounding mastery - as in substance: the echo of the creators who moved her. The artists I have chosen are powerful women who have inspired millions of people. They are legends; they are vulnerable and they...
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  • Robin McKelle's 'Alterations' is not just any set of covers / SoulandJazzandFunk
    Posted At: February 13, 2020 12:00 AM

    For her ninth album, 'Alterations', US soul and jazz chanteuse Robin Mckelle has chosen to do something very different to her previous recordings; she's chosen to record a set of covers – though not just any covers. The song selection on 'Alterations' (with one exception) is drawn from the repertoires of celebrated female artists... people like Joni Mitchell, Adele, Nina Simone ...
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  • Robin McKelle's 'No Ordinary Love' builds from a hushed subtlety to a passionate manifesto / SOUL TRACKS
    Posted At: February 11, 2020 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle has spent the past two decades exploring the vast vocal terrains of jazz, soul, and the American songbook. On her ninth album, Alterations, the internationally renowned singer-songwriter delves into the works of female greats ranging from Billie Holiday to Janis Joplin and Dolly Parton. The first taste of the ambitious project comes via a remarkably fresh take on Sade's 1992 classic, "No Or...
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  • Time for female power on Robin McKelle's 'Alterations' / Gina Loves Jazz
    Posted At: February 7, 2020 12:00 AM

    .....her first album of cover songs featuring the work of artists like Sade, Lana Del Ray, Adele, Dolly Parton, Billie Holiday, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, or Janis Joplin. Pianist Shedrick Mitchell has helped her co-produce and arrange the album of which Robin says: "The energy and connection with the musicians was so powerful. They lifted me up and made it feel effortless. I've never felt so confident ...
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  • I am intrigued immediately by Robin McKelle's 'Alterations' / MusicalMemoir's
    Posted At: February 6, 2020 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle has picked an eclectic group of celebrated ladies-of-song to tribute on this album, starting with the Amy Winehouse hit record, "Back to Black." I am intrigued immediately, not only by McKelle's unique tone and quality of voice, but equally by the creative arrangements of Shedrick Mitchell. When Robin McKelle sings Adele's platinum record, "Rolling In The Deep," her group adds their own spe...
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  • Robin McKelle's Melodic Canvas is reflective and personal / Jazz Weekly
    Posted At: August 17, 2018 12:00 AM

    Vocalist and composer Robin McKelle comes across as a wandering pilgrim, searching for answers on this intimate and personal album. Her voice is part indie, part dreamy, teaming with guests including Chris Potter/ts-ss, Shedrick Mitchell/key, Vincent Ardher/b, Daniel Sadownick/perc, Al Street/g, Martin Sweill/g and The Piano Man's Choir. The overall mood is reflective and personal, with themes such a...
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  • Robin McKelle's Melodic Canvas offers social commentary with a soulful sound / JAZZCORNER
    Posted At: July 26, 2018 12:00 AM

    In recent interviews, CD reviews, TV/radio appearances and tour coverage, singer/writer Robin McKelle has earned praise for her new album, ‘Melodic Canvas': "Tackling tough subject matter including politics, faith and more, McKelle's Melodic Canvas offers listeners a timely social commentary with a rich, soulful sound. Blending elements of blues, jazz, gospel and soul, the album is an inspi...
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  • Robin McKelle discusses Melodic Canvas with GreenArrow Radio
    Posted At: July 16, 2018 12:00 AM

    An enigmatic sound, a storyteller's narrative and a live performance style oozing with Rat Pack moxie – singer and songwriter Robin McKelle is like a genre-blurring musical alchemist, taking listeners on a sonic trip to the old South, sprinkling in hints of the Motown Era or even the smoothness of Sade album, and mixing it together to create her inspiring ‘Melodic Canvas' of Soul, Jazz, Gospe...
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  • Day 8: Rochester Jazz Fest - Crowd eats up Robin McKelle / City Newspaper
    Posted At: June 30, 2018 12:00 AM

    Rochester ex-pat Robin McKelle is far from your stock blues belter or jazz singer. She detours around those parameters , forging her own path. This path led her to the Harro East Ballroom last night. She has a jazzy voice that follows a certain discipline in tone and attack, especially when singing out-and-out jazz. There was an extended scat portion of the show to clear up any doubt. McKelle also sang a...
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  • Good Day Rochester - 'XRIJF sneak peek' features Robin McKelle
    Posted At: June 29, 2018 12:00 AM

    Fresh off the release her new album Melodic Canvas, Robin McKelle brings her jzsoul to the Harro East Ballroom for shows as part of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.  With an enigmatic sound, a Storyteller's Narrative, and a great live show. Empowered by not trying to fit into a box  writer/singer - Robin McKelle paints a Melodic Canvas that is deeply...
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  • Jazz90.1 interviews Robin McKelle at XIRJF
    Posted At: June 29, 2018 12:00 AM

    p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #606060} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #606060; min-height: 14.0px} An Enigmatic Sound, a Storyteller's Narrative and a Live Performance Style Imbued with Rat Pack Moxie, Singer/Writer Robin McKelle is a Genre-Blurring Musical Alchemist, Taking Listeners on a Sonic Trip to t...
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  • Strong jazzsoul songs and intimate lyrics on Robin McKelle's - Melodic Canvas / MAKING A SCENE
    Posted At: May 22, 2018 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle debuted as a big band jazz singer twelve years ago and has since tried blues, pop rock and smatterings of soul and gospel. Melodic Canvas marks her return to jazz, this time in a small ensemble. This is McKelle's album – she wrote six of the ten tunes, did most of the arrangements, and produced the project. Apart from the rich, textured music, McKelle takes on some social commentary, ...
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  • Robin McKelle gets rave reviews at Madrid Jazz Festival / euronews
    Posted At: November 24, 2016 12:00 AM

    Madrid's International Jazz Festival continues, and Robin McKelle is the latest artist to have picked up rave reviews. She came to Spain to perform some of the songs from her new album released last March. ‘The Looking Glass' is McKelle's most personal album to date and the first composed entirely of original songs. "It's more about personal stories from my experience of love and relationships and ...
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  • Robin McKelle premieres 'Stand Up' exclusively on The Telegraph
    Posted At: February 25, 2016 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle is no ordinary singer. She's firmly rooted in soul, but with a hint of jazz and blues that make her work so thrilling. If you see her perform, you could even go as far as suggesting she is a rock chick at heart. Influenced musically by her church choir-singing mother, she became intrigued by jazz harmonies, and as a teenager she  began to reveal her talent by performing in local R&...
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  • Robin McKelle and the Flytones play Jazz Fest / News 10 Rochester
    Posted At: June 26, 2015 12:00 AM

    There's a lot of great acts coming to the Jazz Fest this weekend. One of them is Robin McKelle and the Flytones who have three shows at the Jazz Fest this weekend: Friday at 7 p.m. at the East Avenue and Chestnut Stage. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Jazz Street stage. We got a small preview of the show on Roc City Tonight. Hit play to see that performance. Robin McKelle, who went...
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  • Robin McKelle: SoulandJazzandFunk Roundup
    Posted At: July 22, 2013 12:00 AM

    ROBIN McKELLE'S wonderful 'Soul Flower' album is steadily winning the hearts (and souls) of the UK and European soul fraternity. The LP is the Rochester, NY-born singer's fourth album and tracks like the passionate 'Fairytale Ending' and the wonderful duet with GREGORY PORTER, 'Love's Work' can be heard regularly on discerning radio stations while club DJs who play to ...
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  • Groove Loves Melody talks with Robin McKelle
    Posted At: July 13, 2013 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle's fourth and latest album on Okeh/Sony Records is called Soul Flower and features original compositions inspired by the sounds of Motown and Stax Records in the early 1970′s. Robin McKelle began to show her talent in R&B groups from the age of fifteen. After taking up the piano and French horn, she studied jazz at the University of Miami (1994‐1996) before attendin...
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  • Robin McKelle plays Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival
    Posted At: June 29, 2013 12:00 AM

    The first day of the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival included Robin McKelle & The Flytones performing at the Unity Health System Big Tent. WXXI TV cameras captured this song from Friday's performance:...
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  • Robin McKelle: Need to Know Rochester spot to promote her XRIJF dates
    Posted At: June 22, 2013 12:00 AM

    Rochester native and singer Robin McKelle talks with WXXI's Helene Biandudi Hofer from Need to Know Rochester about her musical upbringing and her new album, Soul Flower. The performer and her band, The Flytones, are performing at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival on Friday, June 21st and Saturday, June 22nd....
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  • Robin McKelle's new Soul Flower releases with Solid Radio Play
    Posted At: June 17, 2013 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle might have called this album The Real McKelle. "It's the record I've always dreamed of making. Not that there was anything stopping me in the past, it's simply that things panned out differently." Soul Flower, Mckelle's new production, a contemporary blend of soul and rhythm 'n' blues has it's offical release tomorrow: Tuesday June 18 and radio has been...
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  • Soul Flower is 'The Real McKelle'
    Posted At: May 15, 2013 12:00 AM

    'Soul Flower,' Robin McKelle's new album on Sony Masterworks, set for release on June 11 might have called 'The Real McKelle.' "It's the record I've always dreamed of making" the singer says. McKelle who wrote most of the albums songs is true to it's title blending soul, blues, and R&B and showcasing not only her powerful expressive sound but also a great gift for devi...
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  • Robin McKelle comes out swinging on her second disc of big band jazz: 'Modern Antique'
    Posted At: July 22, 2008 12:00 AM

    Robin McKelle comes out swinging on her second disc of big band jazz, Modern Antique.The bassist plucks some fat, rich chords, the pianist skitters over the keys, and McKelle herself confidently scats over the melody while the horn section eggs her on. The mood is playfully flirtatious, just this side of naughty.  The entire combo is having so much fun – and so are you – t...
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