Robin Ruscio is a freelance bassist and instructor in Denver, Colorado. A skilled musician on acoustic, electric, and fretless bass, Robin’s playing has made him one of the most in demand musicians in the region. He has performed with world-class jazz artists such as Ron Miles, Nelson Rangell, and The U.S. Air Force Falconaires, as well as with popular Colorado acts including The Pan Jumbies, Señor Gato, The Darren Kramer Organization, Conjunto Colores, and Hazel Miller. For the past eight years, he has been a member of Lannie Garrett‘s band, The Errand Boys of Rhythm, performing regularly at her nightclub in acts ranging from intimate trios to her famous big band. Robin has recently been appearing as bassist, keyboardist and backing vocalist with The 6 Million Dollar Band, Denver’s top 80’s cover dance band. He has backed numerous national jazz artists at the Jazz Aspen/Snowmass Festival. An accomplished classical bassist, he has appeared in chamber performances with members of the Chicago Symphony and New York Philharmonic, and at the Colorado Music Festival. Robin has been a mainstay of many Denver area theatrical orchestras, and become a regular orchestra member for popular musical productions including “Wicked”, “Spamalot”, “Billy Elliot”, and “Three Mo’ Divas” at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Robin can also be found leading his own group performing his original jazz compositions with top-notch Denver mainstays such as Jeff Jenkins, Peter Sommer, Chris Lee, and Dave Devine. Robin co-produced and appeared on vocalist David Arthur’s debut recording “Loudmouth”.
In addition to his jazz appearances with virtually every significant jazz musician in Colorado, Robin has had numerous sideman experiences that reflect his diverse musical interests. He has a long running relationship with the eclectic band The Mercury Project, and several of their side projects. Other past and current acts include Swing Essence, The Tango Camerata, Daddyblue, and the reggae group Djaté.
Robin is an established private bass instructor in the Denver metro area, and has been teaching privately for over a dozen years. He has been a guest artist or clinician at The University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Metro State College, and several area elementary, middle, and high schools. Some of Robin’s highest profile moments came as a two-time participant of the prestigious Henry Mancini Institute in 2001 and 2002, where he performed as both a jazz and orchestral bassist with some of the biggest names in jazz and film, including Diana Krall (at the Hollywood Bowl), Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Dianne Reeves, Terence Blanchard, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, Patti Austin, Johnny Mandel, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Vinnie Colaiuta, John Clayton, Terri-Lynn Carrington, Peter Erskine, and Jerry Goldsmith.
Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, where he studied with esteemed bassist Ken Walker. While there, he received over a half dozen awards and scholarships, including Most Outstanding Undergraduate in Jazz, Most Outstanding Undergraduate in Academic Achievement, and Most Outstanding Senior in Performance, for which he was sent as a guest student and performer to the Nagoya University of the Arts in Japan. He has also studied privately with ECM jazz pianist Art Lande, acclaimed double bass soloist Burt Turetzky, studio session legend Carol Kaye, and multiple members of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Robin also participated in the 2003 Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Academy under Christian McBride. Robin is a member of The International Society of Bassists.
In addition to his music career, Robin is psychotherapist and runs a private practice counseling office in the Denver Tech Center, Mindful Counseling Solutions. He specializes in treating trauma, depression, anxiety, and relationship problems, all with an innovative blend of mindfulness and contemporary neuroscience within the context of a respectful, supportive, and compassionate therapeutic relationship. Robin hold’s a Master’s Degree in Counseling from the University of Colorado Denver, is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. In his free time, he enjoys golf, personal fitness, and meditation, all of which inform and influence his music and teaching.