Robin Reid Habermehl

Robin was raised in Preston On where he grew up in a musical family.  He was involved in singing and playing clarinet, saxophone and flute in the community for several years and excelled in Music while attending Preston High School form 1968 until 1973.

While at Preston High School Robin performed as Edwin the Defendant in Trial by Jury, Koko the Lord High Executioner in the Mikado, Jack Point the Court Jester in Yeoman of the Guard, and Sir Joseph Porter Knight Commander of the Bath in HMS Pinafore , all Gilbert and Sullivan Musicals.

Robin also displayed leadership in the High School Jazz Band he put together for assemblies and played in numerous bands throughout Southern Ontario .

After graduating from High School Robin moved to Toronto to study privately with several professional musicians and performed in numerous big jazz orchestras and rock bands.

In 1980 Robin joined the Canadian Forces and after six months military training where he excelled, (Commandant’s Shield for outstanding recruit, and Skill at Arms for expertise in arms training) became a featured vocalist and jazz saxophonist in the Central Band of the Canadian Forces in Ottawa. Robin was the leader of Free Flight, the jazz quartet that performed regularly at Canadian Embassies and Government functions around the world.

While in Ottawa from 1980 until 1994 Robin performed in local rock and jazz ensembles and played numerous CBC telethons for Heart Institute Hospital and Children’s Hospital, as well as in 14 Ottawa Jazz Festivals. Robin received the Canadian Decoration Medal for his service to Canada.

In 1994 Robin left the Forces and moved back to Kitchener where he started Robin Reid Music, a multi faceted Music company where he teaches clarinet, saxophone, flute and voice as well as leads numerous musical ensembles.  As the musical Director for the Ceremonial Band of the Waterloo Regional Police Service for the past 19 years, he has toured extensively throughout Canada and Cleveland Ohio and South Carolina.

Robin performed the role of Pontius Pilot in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Center in the Square Kitchener production in 2001.

He is also a freelance musician and composer, and jazz musician.  In February 2012 he debuted a “two hour” original musical tribute to our Canadian Forces returning home from Afghanistan.  The show was called “Kandahar” A Modern Soldier’s Story, and was received with rave reviews.  Robin wrote and produced this show and performed the role of Sgt Max Stone, the war torn veteran in the show.

Robin was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubiliee Medal,  for his outstanding service to Queen and Country, as well as received written citation from the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada for his tribute to the soldiers who returned from their second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

2014 was an extremely busy year for Robin, and “Big Band Theory” an 18 piece Jazz orchestra, which Robin is the musical director, recorded a live concert with Order of Canada and Juno award winning jazz musician Don Thompson, entitled Evidence.  He also recorded “Rocket in My Top Pocket” which featured many original compositions with local Jazz Sextet Top Pocket, and played Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Saxophone on Rob Gellner Sextet Jazz album.  Robin has also has been doing a lot of recording session work in the KW Guelph area for numerous artists.

Robin continues to teach and perform well into his 4th decade of his career and hopes to be well enough to continue his exploration of music and teaching into his 5th and maybe even 6th decade of his career.

Hope you enjoy Robin Reid Music .