Robbi Kumalo | Intelligent Children’s Music

November 24, 2007

Interview with Robbi Kumalo [10:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Our musical guest ROBBI KUMALO has sung backup with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Jewel, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart and Mary J Blige, and talks with us about her new, intelligent children’s album.

Reviews from her ‘business’ website at www.balidali.com

On Music Makes Me Happy, Robbi K (Robbi Hall Kumalo) blends pop, R & B,jazz, hip-hop, blues, and more into a sunshiny gem of a children’s CD. Robbi, an accomplished singer, has backed up Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Mary J. Blige, Harry Belafonte, and others. But with such tunes as the doo-wop-flavored “I Love My Teacher” and the effervescent Caribbean romp “Summer’s Here,” she cements her status as a unique voice in children’s music.”
“Our Favorite Things” FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE, OCTOBER 2007

“Several new CDs for children span a variety of musical genres. Robbi K’s soulful album of worldwide musical styles, Music Makes Me Happy, offers diverse tracks of “post-Barney and pre-Britney” music for 7-to-12-year-olds. Blending music from jazz to various cultural traditions, Music Makes Me Happy also incorporates children’s voices.”
Laurel Fishman, GRAMMY.com

Biography from her website www.balidali.com

Born in New York City, Robbi Hall Kumalo, grew up funny, dramatic, and completely stage-struck. Her family nickname was “Sarah” (as in Bernhardt), and responding to the eclectic mix of musical styles (from R&B to Chopin) played in her home, she wrote her first song “A ‘U’ Monkey Face” – a tribute to her brother’s funny face – at the age of three. Robbi’s early years were filled with dance and piano lessons, singing in her church choir, and appearing in local musical productions.

When Robbi K’s daughters were smaller, she began looking for outstanding children’s music to share with them. What became evident was that, aside from the legendary Ella Jenkins, she couldn’t find many other performers of color doing live, diverse and well-rounded children’s music. Where were the role models for her girls and for millions of other kids? The burgeoning field of children’s music was lily white and mostly male.

She says, “My desire is to offer music kids and their families can really get involved with, and connect to the many cultures that flavor our lives. Our children are a lot hipper and smarter than ever; and much more swift than when we were their age. Music doesn’t have to be pablum or speak down to them. It should spark their minds and hearts, as well as their hands and feet.”

Robbi K has released three children’s CD’s: Set It Free and Keep the Beat (honored with a Parents’ Choice Award), and most recently, Music Makes Me Happy, a 2007 Parents’ Choice Silver Award winner, a Children’s Music Web Award winner, and an iParenting Outstanding product award.