Sam Robbins
Saturday, April 4 at 7:30 pm
Sam Robbins
Sam Robbins is often described as an "old soul singer songwriter." A New England based, nationally touring musician whose music evokes classic singer songwriters like James Taylor and Jackson Browne, Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona. An avid performer, he has gained recognition from extensive national touring, from sharing the stage with artists like Jason Mraz and David Wilcox, and as a main stage performer at national festivals like the Kerrville, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals.
Touring with a new acclaimed album, “So Much I Still Don’t See”, named one of Atwood Magazine’s 2025 “Artists to Watch”, leading songwriting workshops and exciting performances across the country, Sam Robbins has gained a reputation as one of the brightest rising stars in the national folk music community.
Sam Robbins’ third album So Much I Still Don’t See is a testament to a singer songwriter’s journey through his 20’s, through his formative years of 45,000 miles per year touring and the beginning of a troubadour’s career. Most of all, it is the culmination of firsthand experiences gathered through hard travel and big adventures.
For the listener, these big adventures are heard through a soft, introspective soundscape. Produced by singer songwriter Seth Glier, the album is built sparingly around solo acoustic guitar and vocals, tracked live, just as they are performed live on stage. Recorded in an old church in Springfield, MA, the sounds of So Much I Still Don’t See center around the humility that comes with traveling and experiencing a world much larger than yourself – looking inward and reveling in the quiet of the inner mind while facing an expansive landscape of life on the road. The storytelling in the songs is draped with touches of upright bass, keyboards, organ, and electric guitar, but the core of the album is one man and his worn out Martin guitar, bought new just a few years ago a week after moving to Nashville.
Sam Robbins is often described as an "old soul singer songwriter." A New England based, nationally touring musician whose music evokes classic singer songwriters like James Taylor and Jackson Browne, Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona. An avid performer, he has gained recognition from extensive national touring, from sharing the stage with artists like Jason Mraz and David Wilcox, and as a main stage performer at national festivals like the Kerrville, Falcon Ridge and Philadelphia Folk Festivals.
Touring with a new acclaimed album, “So Much I Still Don’t See”, named one of Atwood Magazine’s 2025 “Artists to Watch”, leading songwriting workshops and exciting performances across the country, Sam Robbins has gained a reputation as one of the brightest rising stars in the national folk music community.
Sam Robbins’ third album So Much I Still Don’t See is a testament to a singer songwriter’s journey through his 20’s, through his formative years of 45,000 miles per year touring and the beginning of a troubadour’s career. Most of all, it is the culmination of firsthand experiences gathered through hard travel and big adventures.
For the listener, these big adventures are heard through a soft, introspective soundscape. Produced by singer songwriter Seth Glier, the album is built sparingly around solo acoustic guitar and vocals, tracked live, just as they are performed live on stage. Recorded in an old church in Springfield, MA, the sounds of So Much I Still Don’t See center around the humility that comes with traveling and experiencing a world much larger than yourself – looking inward and reveling in the quiet of the inner mind while facing an expansive landscape of life on the road. The storytelling in the songs is draped with touches of upright bass, keyboards, organ, and electric guitar, but the core of the album is one man and his worn out Martin guitar, bought new just a few years ago a week after moving to Nashville.
Maria Gillard
Maria Gillard is the REAL DEAL. A natural and talented singer, songwriter, and educator from the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, she is best known as a folk musician. Of late, she has grown to embrace a wider style range including jazz, swing, and blues. Maria’s songs offer wise, humorous, and sometimes painful observations on life and relationships. Her compelling voice draws you into her lyrics which, when combined with memorable melodies, head straight for the heart. Her performances are soul stirring, evocative, contagious, lively and energizing. She has a warm, inviting, natural flair, which leaves audiences wanting more and coming back!
Currently, she leads the Maria Gillard Trio, accompanied by Perry Cleaveland on mandolin and vocals, and Doug Henrie on Upright Bass. The bass and mandolin add both an intimate and driving musical background to her heartfelt original songs. Perry and Doug bring their experiences performing with other groups like the Cadleys, Kubik's Rubes, Michael Gonzales, Rena Guinn, and various bluegrass outfits, which help fuse a magical energy in the Maria Gillard Trio. Their new recording ALWAYS LOVE, is getting rave reviews. Check it out on the Music page!
As an educator, Maria received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. She is a voice instructor at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York. She is the recipient of the 2020 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. She has worked for the Aesthetic Education Institute as a teaching artist, given concerts and held songwriting workshops in schools and nursing homes for many years. She teaches private voice, piano and guitar lessons in her home and has toured as a folk musician throughout the Northeast.
Maria Gillard is the REAL DEAL. A natural and talented singer, songwriter, and educator from the Finger Lakes Region of New York State, she is best known as a folk musician. Of late, she has grown to embrace a wider style range including jazz, swing, and blues. Maria’s songs offer wise, humorous, and sometimes painful observations on life and relationships. Her compelling voice draws you into her lyrics which, when combined with memorable melodies, head straight for the heart. Her performances are soul stirring, evocative, contagious, lively and energizing. She has a warm, inviting, natural flair, which leaves audiences wanting more and coming back!
Currently, she leads the Maria Gillard Trio, accompanied by Perry Cleaveland on mandolin and vocals, and Doug Henrie on Upright Bass. The bass and mandolin add both an intimate and driving musical background to her heartfelt original songs. Perry and Doug bring their experiences performing with other groups like the Cadleys, Kubik's Rubes, Michael Gonzales, Rena Guinn, and various bluegrass outfits, which help fuse a magical energy in the Maria Gillard Trio. Their new recording ALWAYS LOVE, is getting rave reviews. Check it out on the Music page!
As an educator, Maria received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. She is a voice instructor at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, New York. She is the recipient of the 2020 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. She has worked for the Aesthetic Education Institute as a teaching artist, given concerts and held songwriting workshops in schools and nursing homes for many years. She teaches private voice, piano and guitar lessons in her home and has toured as a folk musician throughout the Northeast.