Thierry Robin, known as “Titi”, born in France, is directly influenced by Gypsy, Middle Eastern and Asian culture. His fame grew after performing at Arab and Gypsy community celebrations. Since the 80's his musical productions have been very original and personal, but always fueled by these traditions. The musicians who accompany him are almost always from these groups. Two artists of major importance to him are the flamenco cantor Camarón de la Isla and the Iraqi master oud player Munir Bashir. Thierry Robin plays a mediterranean music all his own.... Gypsy, Mediterranean and Balkan cultures are always clearly present in his music. Both on his records and on stage, Gypsy, Payos, French, Spanish, Indian, Iranian and Arab have all agreed to dialogue in a kind of reconstructed tribe, a genuine arborescence of musicians met over time, that have accumulated around Thierry Robin. He essentially plays his own compositions with all important improvisation. Thierry enjoys a large audience of both erudite music-lovers and amateurs of Mediterranean music and tours everywhere, from Japan to Hollywood (USA), and from South Africa to European major World Music festivals.... Thierry Robin is a fringe artist. He is slotted into a World Music movement that he does not acknowledge. This pigeon-holing seems to him to be motivated by a profound ethnocentricity he feels creates an unnecessary barrier between Western ethnic music (rock, jazz) and other styles. For him, the crossover of music is not a value in itself, but quite simply a reality; his reality. The most important thing is to find the right path between the feelings which give rise to his creation and the artistic form used to express it; whether it takes a purely traditional form or one that demolishes all established codes. Forging his own path, he has taken heed of the encouragement given by eminent artists such as flamenco singers Fosforito and Chano Lobato, as well as the virtuoso oud player Munir Bashir, who find a sincerity and authenticity in his atypical approach that dissolves any barriers. Official site: www.thierrytitirobin.com Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.