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Music

Administration

Composition Faculty

Instrumental Faculty

Voice Faculty

Jazz Faculty

Early Music Faculty

Robin Holcomb

Adjunct Instructor

Composition, Songwriting

rholcomb@cornish.edu

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Pianist, composer, singer and songwriter Robin Holcomb has performed worldwide as a solo artist and the leader of various ensembles. The New York Times has said of Holcomb’s work, “she has created a new American regionalism, spun from many threads—country, rock, minimalism, Civil War songs, Baptist hymns, Appalachian folk tunes, even the polytonal music of Charles Ives. The music that results is as elegantly simple as a Shaker Quilt, and no less beautiful.” Holcomb’s most recent recording is John Brown’’ Body (Tzadik), a collection of compositions and improvisations for solo piano and chamber groups. She has also released a series of recordings on the Nonesuch label including The Big Time (2002), a collection of original songs and arrangements of songs from the Anthology of American Folk Music, Little Three (1996), a solo recording of piano music and songs, Rockabye (1992), and Robin Holcomb (1990). Other recording projects include two recordings with the New York Composers Orchestra (New World), Bill Frisell’s landmark Nashville recording and contributions to Burt Bacharach, Serge Gainsbourg and the Mississippi Sheiks tribute compilations. She continues to compose and perform music for solo piano, chamber ensembles, choirs, big band, film, television, dance and theater.

Music