BIOGRAPHY

           Born 44 years ago in Jubilee hospital, Kingston, Jamaica on a cold Wednesday morning, Fiona Robinson announced her arrival to the world.

After the first five to six years of her life were spent with her grandmother in Tivoli Gardens, Fiona moved to Washington Gardens to be closer to her mother. It was during this time she realized her budding passion for music and singing.

Surrounded by aunts and uncles who were in choirs, her uncle the infamous Winston "BoPee" Bowen, a father who is a drummer, another uncle who was a DJ on JBC radio and Power FM and family friends such as Dean Frazier, Fiona’s musical journey was just about to begin.

As an only child, Fiona enjoyed her own company, but also found herself loving the spotlight that went with it; the same spotlight that would soon join her on stage. On many Sundays she would listen to her uncle rotate his DJ selections for his upcoming radio slot. Soon, Fiona knew most of the songs she heard and had committed to memory including the Bob Marley special played by her Father when she was only three years old, and she could sing along with them as confidently as Bob Marley himself.

A student of Mico Practicing All Age School, Fiona remembers prior student Nadine Sutherland visiting the school after she became a household name and watching her fellow students full of excitement. Fiona dreamed of the same success and became even more determined to make it as a singer, telling herself " I want to be her someday!"

She began singing at Rallys and Key Club while still at school and, as a poetic youngster, she found it easy to write lyrics, putting them to music from an early age. Influenced by some of the great divas of that time, Pam Hall, Marcia Griffiths, Chevelle Franklin, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Whitney Houston, Brandy and Monica amongst others, Fiona spent her spare time listening to and imitating these remarkable talented women, even now.

During her young teens, Fiona participated in a concert program for young talent presented by Jamaica's JBC television station. Her audition piece was a rendition of a popular Regina Belle song, and this performance caught the producer’s attention Jean Rhone, and earned her a regular spot on the weekly show "Concert Time ." From there she was included in many similar productions including the premiere spot at the " Santa's Enchanted Village"- a Christmas type grotto, where she sang in several performances over the course of the evening. Fiona sang every song in accapella and wooed the audience evening after evening.

She was discovered in her later teen years whilst relaxing at home. Answering the phone one afternoon, she was asked to hold the line for a moment, Fiona continued singing to herself without realizing that the person on the other end of the phone was producer Calvin Simmons who returned to the phone thinking that the radio was playing. As soon as he discovered it was the same young lady who had answered the phone, he did not waste any time!

Within days Fiona found herself in the studio recording her first single. She describes her first experience in the studio as a totally incredible experience, actually being in a studio where other great artists had probably stood and sang before her! Nevertheless, a natural in the studio, Fiona recorded her first single "You Mean The World To Me" previously done by Toni Braxton, another of her favorite icon, and Fiona even sang her own backing vocals, something that the studio crew found quite remarkable for such a new artiste.

Now a second home to her, Fiona found herself in the studio on a regular basis from 17 years of age, juggling a job and studio work. This led to her eventually meeting sound engineer Jason Sterling and producer Lloyd Campbell who were ready to take her to the next level of her career.

Fiona's first recording on the Joe Frasier record label was "For You I Will " a cover version of a recent Monica song. This was musically her first big project in the studio, as she met with other vocalists who helped her develop her vocal skills. She also developed a deeper knowledge of backing vocals during this time and also a good strong work ethic. What she remembers most was how she felt so good to be surrounded by continuous positive vibes. Now that she was on her way forward, she had people around her who could really project her into the career she had always dreamt of being a part of.

As Fiona's recording career grew, she found herself meeting and working with some of the best artists, producers, engineers and musicians in the industry. From Pam Hall who she describes as her teacher, and one of her biggest fans, to Richie Stevens, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Patrick Roberts, J.C. Lodge, the late Cynthia Sloss, Glen Washington, Lukie D, Lexus, Singing Melody, Rik Rok, Shaggy, Kashief and Nikeisha Lindo, Willie Lindo, Nickeisha Barnes, Wayne Wonder, R&B celebrity Mia, The Big Ship Family- Chino, Stephen "The Genius", Laden, Bramma and of course Freddy McGregor who she toured with over a period of years, Bounty Killer, Ishawna, Movado, Papa San, Kirk Davis (Little Kirk) Jon B. and the infamous Beenie Man, whom she had the privilege of being on tour with in Japan. These are a few of the many entertainers she describes as having the pleasure to work with in some shape or form.

One of her most memorable occasions to date, was her performance at South Florida's Reggae Soca Awards Show earlier in 2001. This is where Fiona won an award for "Female Vocalist Of The Year," her second award in this category and a very special moment for her receiving this award and, she took time to acknowledge her mother who flew in from Jamaica to be with her on this prestigious event, at which time Fiona broke into tears because her Mother plays the most important role in her life; her number one fan. Fiona took center stage and was able to perform a song she loved, in a style that her fans could really appreciate. "No More Lonely Nights" was the track she chose and it was received incredibly well by her audience.

So several years later after Fiona first entered the recording studio, where is Fiona now compared to her peers? "Well there isn't any competion between us female singers, we all love each other" says Fiona. As the proud recipient of several music awards, it's obvious where her fans rate her. Whilst it isn't a competition to Fiona, who has worked alongside many of her female counterparts, she enjoys the recognition and the appreciation that goes along with her success. "The view from the top is good!"

Fiona has recently released a gospel album in the UK, aptly titled " He Cares" that boasts a different type of gospel music, not a traditional sound, but ranging from reggae through jazz, Hip Hop and R&B influences. This is only the beginning for Fiona as she expresses a future desire to work with some of the current greats in R&B, including Babyface, who she admires for his musical arrangements, since her teen years, Sean " Puffy " Combs, Freddie and Rodney Jerkins, Missy Elliot and Timberland, as well as Mariah Carey and the king of pop and a musical genius, Micheal Jackson.

Her first album released with Joe Frasier Records in 1999 " Fiona's Moment" is followed by her latest release " Wanna Make Love". An album that promises to take you on a musical journey from it's opening melody to the very last beat. It boasts 18 superb songs on CD ranging from gospel inspired tracks, conscious lyrics, heart warming love songs to uplifting fast moving melodies, guaranteed to lift your mind, body and soul.

Now after taking such a long break from music, Fiona has embarked on a new journey, with upcoming projects in the making, her recent No:1 single with veteran Hopeton Lindo " In Your Eyes", to be followed by another No: 1 five weeks on the South Florida Chart called "Guilty also done with Hopeton Lindo, and No:1on the New York Chart. Fiona says the support she feels from her fans is remarkably refreshing and motivatingly inspiring, on her interview with Clinton Lindsay who strengthened the support she received, she was told not to ever disappear from music again because she has been missing and caught after by many. Fiona Gave Mr. Lindsay her word that she is here to stay and continue to do what she loves and was born to do.

The incredible voice of Fiona has come a long way over the years, something that can only be gained through determination and experience. The artist Fiona has also matured over the years and does not take her success for granted. "You can't do it alone, no one can", she says, " I wouldn't be here today if I didn't have the love and support of my family and friends, and the mercy of GOD". 

Now working on her new project with Jason Farmer of J-Vibe Production, she is very proud of and excited to be back in the studio doing what she loves, "this is a step out of my comfort zone", says Fiona as she holds back on the details of her project which she considers her comeback debut.

Still on the tip of the iceberg, Fiona Robinson has returned. This is her time now. This is Fiona's Moment!

 

Lady English
"Keep the vibe alive"