Janice Marie began her entertainment career as a dancer. Janice Marie’s first professional job was as a background vocalist / dancer for the group “Touch of Class,” who were the opening act on the Jacksons’ National Tour. Additionally, she was one of Don King’s dancers (King’s Queens) and performed in Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden.
She has performed in Las Vegas Revues, both as a singer and dancer. Her first discipline was African dance, which expanded to include jazz and other styles, under the training of the legendary choreographer, Frank Hatchett, owner of Broadway Dance Center.
Not long after, Janice Marie realized her extreme passion for singing and entertaining audiences, which has led to a long career as a vocalist. Performing live and interacting with the audience are what gives Janice Marie the most joy. Janice Marie’s style encompasses Jazz, R & B, Island, Funk, Pop and Blues, adding her own interpretations to such classics as “I Will Survive,” “Lovely Day,” “Moondance,” “My Favorite Things,” Nancy Wilson’s signature song, “Guess Who I Saw Today” and “Boy From Ipanema.”
She has a unique blend of songs that are familiar and memorable to her audiences, plucked from the soundtrack of their lives. She rarely makes a set list because she likes to observe the audience in the room and tailor each set, matching the energy in the room with tunes that the audience likes and is familiar with. Janice Marie is quite masterful at weaving themes and stories, audience participation and involvement.
Janice Marie Robinson & Friends include the excellent musicianship of a number of fine musicians. Janice Marie loves to encourage up and coming vocalists and artists to display their talents.
JMR & Friends has performed in such venues / events as The Apollo Theater, Aaron Davis Hall, Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival (Aruba); Con Edison Executive Suites; JPMorgan Chase Executive Suites & Chase Plaza Series; Hotel Ivoire (Ivory Coast, West Africa); Salute to Blacks on Broadway & Beyond; ING New York City Marathon (recurring, for the past seven years); “SYLVIA’S Of HARLEM “ (10 years); Giovanni’s Restaurant – The G Bar Lounge, (recurring, for 18 plus years); CHOCOLAT Restaurant Lounge (NYC); Mount Vernon’s Summer Breeze Concert Series, and The Water Club. They are as comfortable entertaining in intimate spaces (such as the NY Public Library, senior centers, and hospital audiences) as they are in large concert halls.
Janice Marie, JoeHam and James Preston not only perform great music together, they are totally entertaining. Their show on April 6, 2023 at Sylvia’s Restaurant was no exception. In fact, they had the patrons young and old, jumping out of their seats dancing! Sylvias’s soul food was delicious! I had the catfish, greens and potato […]
After more than 30 years of entertaining throughout New York City, Janice Marie Robinson has moved to Los Angeles. Janice Marie closed out this chapter of her life with a spectacular performance “Last Dance NYC” that garnered a standing ovation. The event was held at Dinosaur BBQ, on August 20, as part of the HARLEM […]
