FILM / TV / STAGE
Robbie works as a music consultant, technical advisor, instrumental coach, performance coach, composer, songwriter, and studio musician for film, television, and theater. His work includes preparing actors to convincingly perform as musicians, rehearsing bands, advising directors and music supervisors, composing and recording music, and contributing performances to productions.
STEREOPHONIC
Music Coach • Instrumental Coach
Robbie first worked with Will Brill while serving as a music instructor and technical advisor on David Chase's Not Fade Away. When Will was cast in the original Off-Broadway production of Stereophonic at Playwrights Horizons, he asked the theater to hire Robbie to coach him for the role. Robbie worked with Will at the Playwrights Horizons studio and privately at his apartment in preparation for the production. When Stereophonic transferred to Broadway, Robbie continued working with Will privately in preparation for the Broadway production. Will went on to win the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play and gave Robbie a special mention in his acceptance speech.
A special thanks to Will Brill for giving Robbie a huge shoutout in his Tony Award acceptance speech. Watch the speech below.
NOT FADE AWAY
Technical Advisor • Music Instructor • Band Rehearsal
Robbie served as technical advisor to writer/director David Chase, creator of HBO's The Sopranos, and was responsible for the musical preparation and on-set authenticity of the film, working directly with David Chase, music supervisor Stevie Van Zandt, and actors Jack Huston, Will Brill, and John Magaro. He coached the film's core actors in their musical performances, including teaching its two principal guitarists to play guitar from scratch and working with each of them for approximately 10 hours a week. Robbie also rehearsed the entire band, teaching the actors to actually perform all of the songs used in the production. The actors' performances were synchronized to playback recordings made by Stevie Van Zandt and his band, which provided the teenage band's sound for the film and soundtrack.
In addition to the extensive musical preparation, Robbie attended production meetings and worked closely with David Chase and the script supervisor throughout filming, advising on the musical aspects of scenes, performances, dialogue, continuity, and other details. He was involved on set throughout the production to ensure that every musical performance looked and felt authentic.
“We could not have made this movie without him.” — David Chase
SEX&DRUGS&ROCK&ROLL
Music Consultant • Technical Advisor • Performance Coach • Co-Songwriter • Studio Musician
Robbie served as music consultant, technical advisor, performance coach, co-songwriter, and studio musician for the FX Network comedy series Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, starring Denis Leary, John Corbett, Elaine Hendrix, and Elizabeth Gillies. He coached John Corbett as an instrumentalist and worked with the entire band on musical choreography, stage setups, and performance. Robbie also performed in the show and provided “hand” performance work for close-ups of the lead actors, helping ensure that the musicianship looked authentic on camera.
JERSEY BOYS
Instrumental Coach
Robbie coached actor Vincent Piazza for his starring role as Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood, helping him prepare for the musical performance aspects of the role.
MURDER AT YELLOWSTONE CITY
Instrumental Coach • Music Contributor
Robbie coached actor John Ales for his musician role in Murder at Yellowstone City, starring Gabriel Byrne and Richard Dreyfuss. He also contributed a musical track to the film.
COVID 420
Composer • Producer • Musician
Robbie wrote, produced, and performed the complete score for the comedy Covid 420, written by and starring longtime musical collaborator George Spielvogel III, whose singer/rapper/performer/comedian persona is MC Whack. Robbie and Spielvogel have collaborated on music for years, with Robbie producing and creating music for Spielvogel's work as MC Whack.
WALKING AWAY
Actor • Guitarist
Robbie appears as himself and performs on guitar in Walking Away, starring longtime musical collaborator Pauly Sosnowski (Old Rugged Sauce).