Musician shares love for Brazilian music, in Woodstock

By David F. Ashton

The Bee, Jul 7, 2010

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Patrons of the Woodstock Branch Library were treated to a concert of South American music, when they visited a bit earlier this year.

“I’m a musician, guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer,” is how musician Ronnie Robins described himself, as he paused between sets.

“I’m very much influenced by the music of Brazil,” Robins explained. “I sing and write songs in English; I sing some in Portuguese. I made up a language I called ‘Portutese’ that sounds a lot like Portuguese, in which to write — before I felt like I could write lyrics in [real] Portuguese.”

Although he started out playing in rock bands before drifting into American folk music, Robins’ affection for Brazilian music started about 18 years ago, he told THE BEE — back about 1992.

“When I started listening to the words, and getting translations of some of the songs, I found out that they were written by some of the great Brazilian poets. In Brazil, there’s a lot of collaboration between well-known poets and musicians. The songs were very deep, and also very beautiful.”

Robins said American jazz musical chords are similar to what one would hear in Brazilian music. “And, I love this kind of chord structure — the vocabulary of music is very much the same, the rhythms are vibrant. And the beautiful melodies really speak to me.”

In addition to lively tunes, Robins also filled the Woodstock Branch Library with Brazilian music in the “Sau Dadge” style — with longing and melancholy, but also a sweet form of music.

“It’s wonderful, playing here in the library,” Robins confided. “People come and sit around as if were a concert — but other people are doing their thing, and enjoying the music. It’s like the person who just came by and said she really enjoyed my music while she ‘shopped’ for books.”

Additionally, Robins said, he brings an interactive kids’ music program out into the community. “I bring 30 to 40 Brazilian percussion instruments. I demonstrate them, and then the kids get to play along with me.”

Robins’ recorded music is available online at: www.cdbaby.com. Or, he can be reached via email at: robinsong@aol.com.