Bio
Singer and harmonica player Tad Robinson is one of the leading voices of modern soul-blues music. From his NYC roots and his Indiana and Chicago musical upbringing, Tad has caught the attention of the scene with his 10 Blues Music Award nominations and his recordings for Delmark Records and the Severn Records label. He tours widely in the U.S. and has played in over 20 countries worldwide with performances at some of the most important international blues festivals. With Harmonica chops influenced by Junior Wells and Junior Parker and a voice inspired by Otis Redding, Syl Johnson, Al Green, and Teddy Pendergrass, Tad ranks as one of the most unique and talented members of the international blues and soul communities. After being recruited by guitarist Dave Specter to join his Chicago band in the 1990s and record the studio album, Blueplicity as well as a “live-in-Europe” release, Tad has gone on to collaborate with some of the highest profile musicians in the genre. In 2004, Robinson was signed to a record deal with Maryland-based soul/blues focussed, Severn Records, a turning point in his career which moved him further into the blues spotlight. His last five album releases for Severn have featured backing by the great Severn house band of Steve Gomes, Robb Stupka, Kevin Anker and Benjie Porecki, and horn and string arrangements by the legendary producer-arranger Willie Henderson. The Severn output has also included guest appearances by the Memphis Horns, Otis Clay, Anson Funderburgh, Johnny Moeller, Alex Schultz, Devin B. Thompson, and the Hi Rhythm Section.
Awards
2005 – W.C. Handy Blues Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
2005 – W.C. Handy Blues Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)
2008 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
2008 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)
2009 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)
2011 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
2011 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)
2016 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
2020 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year (nominated)
2020 – Blues Music Award, Soul Blues Album of the Year (nominated)
Tad performs regularly at music festivals, concerts, nightclubs and house parties throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Here is a list of some of the notable festivals where Tad has performed.
Lucerne Blues Festival, Switzerland
Cognac Blues Passions, France
Dubai Jazz Festival, Dubai
Piazza Blues Festival, Bellinzona, Italy
Peer Belgium Rhythm & Blues Festival, Belgium
Toronto Jazz Festival, Canada
Tampa Bay Blues Festival, St. Petersburg, Florida
Notodden Blues Festival, Norway
Black & Blues Festival, Israel
Dark Season Blues Festival, Spitsbergen, Norway
Torino Jazz Festival, Italy
Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago, Illinois
Waterfront Blues Festival, Portland, Oregon
Gaildorfer Music Festival, Germany
Indy Jazz Fest, Indianapolis, IN
Trinidaddio Blues Fest, Trinidad, Colorado
Beaches International Jazz Festival, Toronto, Canada
Breminale, Bremen, Germany
Bay-Car Blues Festival, France
Blues & Ribs Fest, South Bend, Indiana
New Orleans Music Festival, Wendelstein, Germany
Blues Naktys, Varniai, Lithuania
Colorline Blues Cruise, Norway
Bluesweek Festival, St. Louis, Missouri
Vache De Blues, Belgium
(Ge)Varenwinkel Blues & Roots, Germany
Blues Station in Tournon, France
Blues at the Crossroads, Indiana
Greencastle Summer Music Festival, Indiana
Sin City Soul & Blues Revival, Las Vegas, Nevada
Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Davenport, Iowa
Uptown Jazz & Blues Festival, Lafayette, Indiana
Fishers Blues Fest, Fishers, Indiana
Marquette Area Blues Fest, Marquette, Michigan
Blues en V.O., France
Grand Blues Festival, Lahti, Finland
Pennsylvania Blues Festival/Blues in the Poconos, Pennsylvania
Warsaw Blues Night, Poland
Ouibache Roots Music Festival, Lafayette, Indiana
Koli Ruska Blues, Koli, Finland