While attending the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, she majored in music, particularly vocal. She found Folk Music piqued her interest.

In 1979, Paul Cebar, another well-known Milwaukee-grown talent, crossed her path, a very successful association lasting over 20 years. They collaborated writing music/songs and performing all over the Midwest, becoming a mainstay in the Milwaukee area.

In the late 70’s early 80’s John Sieger, an R&B musical professional in Kenosha, through the recommendation of a friend, approached Robin to join his new musical group, the R&B Cadets. She did along with Julie Wood, a saxophonist, and then Paul joined shortly thereafter. The Cadets quickly had a following. They do even to this day. The word was out and the demand meant gigs throughout the Midwest. The Cadets cut their first LP album in 1986 with Twin Tone of Minnesota. Then only one year later, Sieger left for California to work with Warner Bros. As a result, The Milwaukeeans was formed by Paul with Robin as its sole diva. For several years, Paul and Robin wrote a lot of music, performed throughout the Midwest and cut records under the Shanachie label.

Also, in the 80’s Julie Wood (saxophonist), Mrs. Fun (keyboard and drums) and Robin combined their musical talents and formed a popular night club act called The Rhythm Club.

It wasn’t until 1995 that Robin’s interest in French music blossomed. She delved into French history and found a mélange of vintage chansons to draw from. Her past education in speaking French and her expansive singing range has set her night club show apart from any other. The word was out and she was asked to perform her French repertoire at Bastille Days in Milwaukee. She was so well received that she’s been asked back each year since 1996.

In 1995 through 1998, Robin joined and performed with the French Alliance Choir in Manhattan, New York which afforded her more French singing experience. She has also performed with the French Alliance of Chicago at Symphony Hall and the Drake Hotel. Recently, Ms. Pluer has toured Europe performing for charity events, cultural centers and jazz clubs.

When asked about her favorite style of music, she’s torn. She loves Funky R&B, but then again, she loves performing her fresh and “new-to-today’s audiences” French repertoire.

OTHER NOTABLES:

In 1993 Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist presented Pluer with a framed certificate proclaiming November 24th as “Robin Pluer Day.” [Click here to view Certificate]

In 1998, Robin collaborated with Paul Cebar and wrote “C’mon Boy,” a composition later used by Peter Buffett’s soundtrack produced for the feature film “Full Ride.”

Robin has won many Wisconsin music awards over the years including Milwaukee’s Best Female Vocalist for 3 years and 6 WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) awards.

She has been featured on Garrison Keeler’s “Prairie Home Companion” and NPR’s “World Café.”

REVIEWS:

SHEPHERD EXPRESS: October 16, 2003
Best of Milwaukee 2003
Music & Culture
Best Female Vocalist

Robin Pluer sounded genuinely elated when informed of the good news. "That's amazing! I'm really surprised! I don't even play out that much in Milwaukee," she said, responding to winning Best Female Vocalist in the Shepherd Express readers' poll. But surely she's reaching large audiences with her Edith Piaf tribute show at Bastille Days, her performance at Lakefront Festival of the Arts and her Rhythm Club gigs with members of Mrs. Fun.

The one-time singer with Paul Cebar has been spending a good amount of time on the road in places as far away as Poland, singing French songs. She also worked with Peter Buffet on his album Songs From an East Side Attic and landed a tune on the soundtrack for Full Ride. Pluer will perform a Valentine's Day concert with Present Music in February. (Dave Luhrssen)

SHEPHERD EXPRESS: November 1, 2001
Best Female Vocalist

For nearly 20 years, Robyn Pluer has been one of Milwaukee's premier vocalists. Her emotive vocals can carry anything from a slow ballad to an upbeat doo-wop tune. But perhaps as impressive as her engaging vocal style is her desire to always stretch her abilities and try new things. Lately, she has been splitting her time between Milwaukee and New York City. When she is here, she can be heard with members of Mrs. Fun in a side project known as the Rhythm Club. She also sings beautifully in French, which makes her a natural for Bastille Days, and you don't need to speak French to be moved. She is currently touring with a reunited R&B Cadets line-up. (Tim Lambrecht)

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL: July 22, 2001
“Singer Pluer Shines Through”

Musical intimacy and nuance are not the stuff of Milwaukee’s annual round of outdoor summer festivals. The competition booming away on the next stage and the let’s-party ambience of 21-year-olds drifting by with beer in hand make it hard for any performer trading in anything more sophisticated than high volume and a strong beat.

But Robin Pluer, facing thumping zydeco to the fore and pumping fusion on the flank at Bastille Days last weekend, made it look easy. On July 14, a large and intensely attentive audience crowded into a cozy courtyard on the Milwaukee School of Engineering campus to hear her sing French songs and jazz standards in translation.

Pluer adores French culture, and her French is gorgeous. Pluer gave a nod to Edith Piaf in her song selection, but her show was not a Piaf impersonation. Pluer is not tragic, vulnerable and fiery in the Piaf way, but joyful. Last weekend, her joy was contagious and irresistible.

Even at the end of the last set on the second night of the run, Pluer’s voice sounded full and potent throughout her considerable range.

She reveled in that voice, savoring its sensuality in a slithery, smoky, surprising take on “Habanera” from Bizet’s “Carmen” and its bright agility in a Cole Porter medley. This was playful, flirtatious music-making laced with delicious details – tugs at the tempo, subtle colorations of vowels and articulations of consonants, ornamental melodic flourishes, and stylish bending of phrase and pitch. The detail drew in the ear and the virtuosic fun dazzled it. Clever arrangements and the alert, inventive playing of Mrs. Fun (keyboardist Connie Grauer and percussionist Kim Zick) did not merely accompany Pluer, but interacted with her.

Music is the heart of Pluer’s appeal, but not the whole story. She’s a winning presence, a total package. She moves to the music with a giddy, girlish, disarming nonchalance. She has the kind of beauty that jumps over footlights. And she’s a genius at dressing for the music and the situation. When I saw her, she changed from a full, vintage-looking evening gown to a slim, simple ensemble of black Capri pants, a black, off-the-shoulder jersey and a hat that put a wafting spray of black lace around her head. She hit just the right line between smart flamboyance and classy femininity. The look says brains, beauty and talent cohabit here, and the look does not deceive.

Such a woman commands attention and makes the distractions of a street festival fade away. It was sweet to be there with her, drinking decent French wine under the stars on a balmy night.

Still, I can’t wait to hear her under ideal conditions, with no background noise louder than the clink of wine glasses. She’s playing the Coquette Café in the Third Ward on July 28; the first set begins at 9 p.m. Good French food and Robin Pluer; Milwaukee doesn’t get more sophisticated than that. (Tom Strini)