by Tom Baldino
Long time radio veteran program director, and midday host for Brookdale Public Radio, 90.5 The Night, Rich Robinson, hung up his headphones after 50 years on air, the last 30 at 90.5. Joanne and I were invited to his retirement party at Whitechapel Projects on October 8th, along with his fellow DJ’s and associates from the station, other people in the music community, and fans of the station. Musical guests Emily Grove, Matt & Eryn O’Ree, James Maddock, as well as Gordon Brown & Reagan Richards (Williams Honor) entertained the assembled with personal memories of Rich helping their careers, and their music.
The evening was MCed by morning host Michelle McBride, and other fellow DJ’s including Kristin Florio, who put the event together, Stu Coogan and Jeff Raspe, who curated music portion of the show. They traded insights, personal stories, and friendly barbs about Rich and his time at the station. Rich hosted many local and national artists over the years with an interview style that was both probing and relaxed, highlighted by his vast musical knowledge.
The seating was random, with the exception of the DJ’s and performers, but during the cocktail hour we were able to converse with the musicians, and many of our friends at the station, who over the years, hosted the annual guitar show, concert series, and other events that the JSJBF have been involved with, especially the tireless promotion of local artists and events. While I was never on Rich’s show, I have been a guest on Stu’s evening show many times, including an August visit to promote the Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival with Sharon Lasher and Jersey Blues.
We sat down at a table where we knew some of the guests, however, the woman next to me Dawn Lorentz, who it turns out is a jazz and blues singer and relatively new to the area, we hadn’t previously met. A NYC transplant, she had nothing but accolades for the Jersey Shore music scene, including Holiday Express which she has volunteered for, and we support, and as it turns out she has a residency at Red Horse in Rumson with someone the JSJBF has worked with, Erez Lirov. A gifted singer, I have now listened some of her music on via streaming. Three songs, “Better Days,” “Daydreams,” and “Curse the Rain,” were a good primer into the variety of her work. “Better Days” is a lush ballad of hope for the future which features Dawn’s soft but firm vocals with some fine accompanying guitar. “Daydreams” was captured live at the Baggot Inn, a club that was a haven for music in Greenwich Village, until it closed in 2008. A more up tempo, gritty tune, it demonstrates her range and works well with the band in this setting. “Curse the Rain,” is highlighted by her lyrics which create a story, and her vocal presentation over guitar and percussion, resulting a winning combination.
I’m sure we will be hearing more from Dawn as she continues to become a larger part of the music and JSJBF community, especially since we made this chance, but pleasant, connection at Rich’s retirement party. Rich would have wanted it that way.