News: Phil Robinson & Victor V. Gurbo make their Carnegie Hall debuts!

The name "Carnegie Hall" is enough to give goosebumps to every music lover - even to me, an Italian who has never been in US! That's why I'm incredibly happy that two friends of Laura Meets Musicians are going to make their debut at such a legendary venue. Phil Robinson and Victor V. Gurbo will perfom at the "Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall", presented by Roomful of Sky Records, on June 2nd! The "Weill Recital Hall" is usually used for chamber music, while the main hall is used for orchestra concerts (both of these stages have been in use since the Carnegie Hall opened in 1891!). The show will be each performer's first full-scale in-person concert since Roomful of Sky's 2019 end-of-year celebration at famed rock club The Bowery Electric, and their first double-bill concert in a friendship and ongoing musical collaboration spanning over 11 years. With their respective players, Robinson and Gurbo will perform spirited renditions of their original music throughout the night... with a few well-chosen covers thrown in! Click here to buy your own ticket!

Official Flyer

Armed with their folk, blues, and rock-influenced songs that straddle the line between timeless and modern, Robinson and Gurbo have entertained near-capacity crowds at many of New York's prominent music venues, including: Mercury Lounge, The Bitter End, and The Loft at City Winery. In the early days of the pandemic, the pair continually lent their musical talents to various benefit causes, including #SaveOurStages and racial justice, and notably spearheaded an online campaign to "Save the Bitter End!", which successfully raised over $24,000.00, ensuring that the legendary New York City music venue could remain afloat amid the pandemic-induced lockdowns. Please join them for their first concert at this legendary New York City landmark, buying your ticket here. This is an event not to be missed!

 

I was very curious to know how Phil and Victor are living this incredible moment, so I asked them which are their thought and expectations for such a great debut! Known for soulful songwriting, a fun stage presence and of course his signature harmonica, Phil Robinson has packed venues throughout the NYC area both on his own as well as with his high energy folk-rock band, The Bliss Jockeys.  Recently named a Lee Oskar Harmonicas "Preferred Player", Phil's latest release has been covered by American Songwriter and Broadway World. He says: "Making my Carnegie Hall debut is a dream come true, and it's still something I'm having a little trouble wrapping my head around. I've been on my musical journey for decades now, trying always to improve, to write and play (and live!) more 'soulfully', surrounding myself with a nourishing community of musical allies and supportive fans, and of course always trying to be a good human while doing so. And so now I've arrived at this surreal moment where my musical path intersects with as esteemed a venue as Carnegie Hall. It's an exquisite moment that feels somehow both SHOCKING and yet also perfectly NATURAL and APPROPRIATE at the same time. My favorite parts of this experience so far have been the wonderful journey of friendship with my concert partner, Victor V. Gurbo, that putting it all together has afforded us, and also the fact that so many people from so many different sections of my life are coming out to attend the concert.  I have multiple friends flying in from other states, a relative flying in from Europe, a college friend I haven't seen in over a decade, my mom is bringing her 20 closest friends, etc. - that kind of thing. The power of this legendary venue has elevated this particular concert to the level of a true life occasion that all the people of my life want to participate in with me, in person. It's already beautiful, for that reason alone, and I only look forward to where the journey grows from here".

Phil Robinson (Photo by Christina Grande)

The Brooklyn Academy Of Music said "Roots revivalist Victor V. Gurbo and his four-piece backing band create original folk ballads infused with an Americana spirit...voted the Brooklyn Borough Champion at WNYC & WQXR's Battle of the Boroughs, Gurbo & Co. pay homage to the canon of American song and poetry with a raw, bluesy, foot-stomping sound that's both classic and contemporary". Victor's feelings about the debut are similar to Phil's: "This is a milestone opportunity for Victor V. Gurbo & Co, and it’s all been made possible thanks to Phil and Roomful of Sky Music. We’re beyond honored to get to play this stage, the history and gravitas associated with Carnegie Hall is awe inspiring. On a personal level, I have family who have played there nearly 100 years ago - and it’s special for me to be able to join them. The pandemic shook the foundation of everyone’s projects, and my group has used this as an opportunity to retool and rebuild - and we’re very excited to showcase both new songs and new arrangements of fan favorites. Going into this event, I was very apprehensive how well we’d do in terms of moving tickets - not having attempted anything on this scale for a long while. I’ve been surprised and thrilled with the positive response from our friends, family and fans. We’ve got our fingers crossed for a great show!".

Victor V. Gurbo (Photo by Christina Grande)

Details of the event

The location is Weill Recital Hall At Carnegie Hall, 154 West 57th Street (btwn 6th & 7th Ave), New York, NY 10019.

The date is Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 - Doors: 6:30pm - Music: 7:00pm to 10:00pm

Link for tickets: CarnegieHall.org

"Phil Robinson & Victor V. Gurbo at the "Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall" is presented by Roomful of Sky Records, which has been at the very center of one of NYC's most vibrant and engaged musical communities since its inception in 2007, encompassing both indie musicians and 'lovers of music' alike. 

Instagram: @philrobinsonmusic @victorvgurbo

For more about them: Phil Robinson - Victor V. Gurbo