Robert C. Ford

Born: August 5, 1967

Robert C. Ford, known as the Wall $treet Poet, is a globe-trotting poet, lyricist and spoken word artist based in New York City. His performances span Europe and the Americas, and he is recognized for blending poetry with music; collaborating with world-class performers across genres including pop, rock, jazz and opera. His words are delivered both in his own voice and interpreted by acclaimed vocalists.

He has released two albums of poetry set to music: The Music Between Us (2021) and Footprints of Steel (2025). These works feature collaborations with notable composers such as Charles Coleman (Paavo Järvi, London Symphony Orchestra), Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Steven Wilson), Mark Kostabi (Guns N' Roses Use Your Illusion, Ornette Coleman), Carli Muñoz (Beach Boys, Wilson Pickett), Gene Pritsker (Matrix Resurrections, Joe Zawinul) and Jay Rodriguez Sierra (Groove Collective, Wu-Tang Clan).

Ford has also performed alongside other celebrated musicians including: Gerry Brown (drums--Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder), John Clark (horn--Gil Evans), Jane Getter (guitar--SNL Band), Jason Kao Hwang (violin), Paul Nowinski (bass--Les Paul, Keith Richards), Harvie S (bass), Dave Soldier (violin--Bo Diddley, John Cale) and David Taylor (bass trombone--Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones).

He has graced the stages of prominent New York City venues such as Birdland Jazz Club, The Bitter End, Joe's Pub, Pianos, Le Poisson Rouge, Chelsea Table + Stage, Nublu, The Stonewall Inn and Theatre 80. Beyond NYC, he has performed at Howland Cultural Center (Beacon, NY), Jazz Club ZWE (Vienna, Austria), Centro Mexicana para la Musica y las Artes Sonoras (Morelia, Mexico), NWEAMO Festival (San Diego, CA) and University of Costa Rica (San José, Costa Rica). In September 2022, he was featured with Grammy-winner Suzanne Vega at the Players Theatre as part of The Village Trip Festival.

Ford is also the host and curator of Sky Vault, an intimate concert and performance venue in New York City.