Perry Robinson
Encyclopedia
Perry Morris Robinson is an American jazz clarinetist and composer. He is the son of the noted composer Earl Robinson
.
, Henry Grimes
, and Paul Motian
) was recorded in 1962. He also appeared with Grimes on The Call in 1965. Robinson served in a U.S. military band in the early 1960s. Since 1973 he has worked with Jeanne Lee
and Gunter Hampel
's Galaxie Dream Band. He contributed to Dave Brubeck
' s Two Generations of Brubeck and played with Burton Greene
' s Dutch klezmer
band Klezmokum. He has led his own groups in performances and on record, with albums on the Chiaroscuro, WestWind, and Timescraper labels. More recently, he worked with William Parker
and Walter Perkins on Bob's Pink Cadillac and several discs on the CIMP label.
From 1975 until 1977, Robinson was member of a band called Clarinet Contrast
, featuring German clarinet players Theo Jörgensmann
and Bernd Konrad. He has recorded with Lou Grassi as a member of his PoBand since the late Nineties, and with Lou Grassi, Wayne Lopes and Luke Faust
in 'The Jug Jam', an improvisational jug band. He plays in a free jazz and world music trio along with tabla player Badal Roy
and bassist Ed Schuller
, with whom he recorded the CD Raga Roni. He has played with Dave Brubeck
and Muruga Booker
in the MBR jazz trio. Robinson also played an integral part in the formation of 'Cosmic Legends' an improvisational music/performance group led by composer/pianist Sylvie Degiez which included musicians Rashied Ali
, Wayne Lopes, Hayes Greenfield, and Michael Hashim
among others. In 2005 he was featured on his cousin Jeffrey Lewis' album "City and Eastern Songs" on Rough Trade Records, produced by Kramer. His most recent release was OrthoFunkOlogy in 2008 with the band Free Funk, also featuring Muruga Booker, Badal Roy
, and Shakti.
His autobiography, Perry Robinson: The Traveler (co-authored by Florence F. Wetzel), was published in 2002.
Earl Robinson
Earl Hawley Robinson was a singer-songwriter and composer from Seattle, Washington. Robinson is probably as well remembered for his left-leaning political views as he is for his music, including the songs "Joe Hill", "Black and White", and the cantata "Ballad for Americans"...
.
Biography
Robinson grew up in New York City and attended the Lenox School of Jazz in Massachusetts in the summer of 1959. His first record, Funk Dumpling (with Kenny BarronKenny Barron
Kenny Barron , is an American jazz pianist. He is the younger brother of tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, and known for his lyrical, adaptive style.-Biography:...
, Henry Grimes
Henry Grimes
Henry Grimes is a jazz double bassist, violinist, and poet.After more than a decade of activity and performance, notably as a leading bassist in free jazz, Grimes completely disappeared from the music scene by 1970...
, and Paul Motian
Paul Motian
Stephen Paul Motian was an American jazz drummer, percussionist and composer of Armenian extraction.He first came to prominence in the late 1950s in the piano trio of Bill Evans, and later led several groups...
) was recorded in 1962. He also appeared with Grimes on The Call in 1965. Robinson served in a U.S. military band in the early 1960s. Since 1973 he has worked with Jeanne Lee
Jeanne Lee
Jeanne Lee was an American jazz singer, poet and composer. Best known for a wide range of vocal styles she mastered, Lee collaborated with numerous distinguished composers and performers which included Gunter Hampel, Ran Blake, Carla Bley, Anthony Braxton, Marion Brown, and many...
and Gunter Hampel
Gunter Hampel
Gunter Hampel is a German jazz vibraphonist, clarinettist, saxophonist, flautist, pianist and composer born in Göttingen, Germany, perhaps best-known for his album "The 8th of July 1969" that included fellow musicians Anthony Braxton, Willem Breuker and Jeanne Lee...
's Galaxie Dream Band. He contributed to Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck
David Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
' s Two Generations of Brubeck and played with Burton Greene
Burton Greene
Burton Greene is a free jazz pianist born in Chicago, Illinois, though most known for his work in New York City. He has explored a variety of genres, including avant-garde jazz and the Klezmer medium.-Biography:...
' s Dutch klezmer
Klezmer
Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Ashkenazic Jews of Eastern Europe. Played by professional musicians called klezmorim, the genre originally consisted largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations...
band Klezmokum. He has led his own groups in performances and on record, with albums on the Chiaroscuro, WestWind, and Timescraper labels. More recently, he worked with William Parker
William Parker (musician)
William Parker is an American free jazz double bassist, poet and composer.-Biography:Parker was not formally trained as a classical player, though he did study with Jimmy Garrison, Richard Davis, and Wilbur Ware and learned the tradition. Parker is one of few jazz bassists who regularly plays arco...
and Walter Perkins on Bob's Pink Cadillac and several discs on the CIMP label.
From 1975 until 1977, Robinson was member of a band called Clarinet Contrast
Clarinet Contrast
Clarinet Contrast was a clarinet ensemble with rhythm group led by clarinetist Theo Jörgensmann.The group, which included members from four country's, existed from 1975 to 1977 and had awakened the interest in the contemporary jazzscene for the clarinet and was also one of the participants in the...
, featuring German clarinet players Theo Jörgensmann
Theo Jörgensmann
Theodor Franz Jörgensmann is a jazz and free-improvising Basset clarinet player and composer. He has been a professional musician since 1975.-Activities:...
and Bernd Konrad. He has recorded with Lou Grassi as a member of his PoBand since the late Nineties, and with Lou Grassi, Wayne Lopes and Luke Faust
Luke Faust
Luke Faust is an American musician. In the early 1960s he played a five-string banjo player and sang Appalachian ballads, at The Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village, New York City. For five or six years Faust performed with Jerry Rasmussen...
in 'The Jug Jam', an improvisational jug band. He plays in a free jazz and world music trio along with tabla player Badal Roy
Badal Roy
Badal Roy is a tabla player, percussionist, and recording artist known for his work in jazz, world music, and experimental music.-Biography:...
and bassist Ed Schuller
Ed Schuller
Edwin G. Schuller is an American jazz bassist and composer.Schuller was born in New York City; his father is Gunther Schuller and his younger brother is drummer George Schuller. Schuller learned clarinet and guitar as a child and switched to bass at age 15; that same year he had his first...
, with whom he recorded the CD Raga Roni. He has played with Dave Brubeck
Dave Brubeck
David Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
and Muruga Booker
Muruga Booker
Muruga Booker is an American drummer, recording artist, and Orthodox priest.- Biography :Booker was born Steven Bookvich in Detroit, Michigan on December 27, 1942 and is of Serbian decent. His father, Melvin Bookvich, was a shoemaker who played accordion. He has a wife, Shakti; a son, Aaron; and a...
in the MBR jazz trio. Robinson also played an integral part in the formation of 'Cosmic Legends' an improvisational music/performance group led by composer/pianist Sylvie Degiez which included musicians Rashied Ali
Rashied Ali
Rashied Ali, born Robert Patterson was an American free jazz and avant-garde jazz drummer best known for playing with John Coltrane in the last years of Coltrane's life.-Biography:...
, Wayne Lopes, Hayes Greenfield, and Michael Hashim
Michael Hashim
Michael James Hashim is an American jazz alto saxophonist.Hashim began playing saxophone while in elementary school, playing with Phil Flanigan and Chris Flory as a high schooler. He worked with both into the middle 1970s, and in 1976 he toured with Muddy Waters and played with the Widespread...
among others. In 2005 he was featured on his cousin Jeffrey Lewis' album "City and Eastern Songs" on Rough Trade Records, produced by Kramer. His most recent release was OrthoFunkOlogy in 2008 with the band Free Funk, also featuring Muruga Booker, Badal Roy
Badal Roy
Badal Roy is a tabla player, percussionist, and recording artist known for his work in jazz, world music, and experimental music.-Biography:...
, and Shakti.
His autobiography, Perry Robinson: The Traveler (co-authored by Florence F. Wetzel), was published in 2002.
As leader
- 1962: Funk Dumpling (Savoy)
- 1978: Kundalini (Improvising ArtistsImprovising Artists-Discography:...
) - 1978: The Traveler (Chiaroscuro RecordsChiaroscuro Records-Artists:*Nat Adderley*Howard Alden*George Barnes*Louie Bellson*Gene Bertoncini*Eubie Blake*Ruby Braff*John Bunch*Don Cherry*Buck Clayton*Eddie Condon*Johnny Costa*Kenny Davern*Wild Bill Davison*Lou Donaldson*Dorothy Donegan*John Eaton*Don Ewell...
) - 1989: Nightmare Island: Live at the Leverkusener Jazztage (WestWind)
- 1990: Call to the Stars – Perry Robinson Quartet – (WestWind)
- 1998: Angelology - Perry Robinson Quartet - (Timescraper CD 9613)
- 2003: Still Traveling - Perry Robinson Quartet -(WestWind WW2139)
- 2005: Children's Song - Perry Robinson Trio - (Konnex KCD 5149) (Recorded in 1990)
- 2005: The Gone Orchestra Presents: Perry Robinson and the Eternal Flame (Mahaffay Musical Archives)
- 2009: Two Voice in the Desert - Perry Robinson and Burton Greene (Tzadik RecordsTzadik RecordsTzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
) - 2010: Mystic Overflow duet with Muruga Booker - Sagitarius/Qbico Records
As sideman
- The Call - Henry GrimesHenry GrimesHenry Grimes is a jazz double bassist, violinist, and poet.After more than a decade of activity and performance, notably as a leading bassist in free jazz, Grimes completely disappeared from the music scene by 1970...
- 1965 ESP-DiskESP-DiskESP-Disk is a New York-based record label, founded in 1964 by lawyer Bernard Stollman.From the beginning, the label's goal has been to provide its recording artists with complete artistic freedom, unimpeded by any record company interference or commercial expectations—a philosophy summed-up by the... - Mama Too TightMama Too TightMama Too Tight is an album by Archie Shepp released on Impulse! Records in 1966. The album contains tracks recorded by Shepp, Tommy Turrentine, Grachan Moncur III, Roswell Rudd, Howard Johnson, Perry Robinson, Charlie Haden and Beaver Harris in August 1966. The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek states...
- Archie Shepp 1966 Grp Records UPC: 011105024822 - Bunky & Jake 1968 Mercury Records
- It Crawled into My Hand, HonestIt Crawled into My Hand, HonestIt Crawled into My Hand, Honest is the second 1968 studio album by The Fugs, a band composed of anti-war poets. It was released in the USA by record company Reprise...
- The Fugs Reprise RS-6305 or Transatlantic 181 or Edsel XED-181 – 1968 - L.A.M.F. - Bunky & Jake 1969 Kiribati Productions
- Liberation Music Orchestra (1969)
- Jazz Composers Orchestra: Escalator Over The HillEscalator over the HillEscalator over the Hill is mostly referred to as a jazz opera, but it was released as a "chronotransduction" with "words by Paul Haines, adaptation and music by Carla Bley, production and coordination by Michael Mantler", performed by the Jazz Composer's Orchestra.-History:Escalator over the Hill...
- JCOA EOTH or 839 310 - November 1968 - June 1971 - Jake & The Family Jewels - Jake & The Family Jewels - Polydor 244029 - 1970
- I'm The One - Annette Peacock RCA 6025 – 1972
- Impulsively! – Various Artists 1972 Impulse Records
- Numatik Swing BandNumatik Swing Band-Track listing:# "Vent" - 4:50# "Breathahoward" - 2:52# "Circulation" - 10:15# "Lullaby For Greg" - 11:10# "Aerosphere" - 14:15-Personnel:*Roswell Rudd - trombone, french horn, producer...
- Roswell RuddRoswell RuddRoswell Rudd is a Grammy Award-nominated American jazz trombonist and composer....
& The Jazz Composer's OrchestraJazz Composer's OrchestraJazz Composer's Orchestra was an American jazz group founded in 1965, to further avant-garde jazz in New York. Carla Bley and Michael Mantler were important in its organization and style....
- JCOA Records, 1973 - Conspiracy - Jeanne Lee – 1974
- Poum - Composers Collektive (Perry Robinson, John Fischer (pianist)John Fischer (pianist)John Fischer is a pianist, composer and visual artist. He is also a pioneer in the field of computer art. During the 1970s, during the loft jazz era in New York City, Fischer ran a performance loft and gallery known as Environ....
, Mark WhitecageMark WhitecageMark Whitecage is an American jazz reedist.Whitecage played in his father's family ensemble as early as age six. In the 1980s, he played with Gunter Hampel's Galaxy Dream Band, Jeanne Lee, and Saheb Sarbib. After touring solo in Europe in 1986, he put together two bands as a leader, Liquid Time and...
, Laurence Cook, Mario PavoneMario PavoneMario Pavone is an American jazz bassist.He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut and began performing in 1965. He was a member of Paul Bley's trio during 1968-72, and Bill Dixon's trio during the 1980s. He also performed with such musicians as Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, and Gerry Hemingway...
) (1974) - Secret Sauce – Skyking Columbia 33367 – 1975
- Interface - John Fischer (with Mark Whitecage, Perry Robinson Armen Halburian, Rick Kilburn, John SheaJohn SheaJohn Victor Shea III is an American actor and director who has starred on stage, television and in film. He is best known for his role as Lex Luthor in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and also starred in the short lived 1990s TV series WIOU as Hank Zaret...
, Jay ClaytonJay ClaytonJay Clayton is an internationally acclaimed avant-garde vocalist and jazz educator.- Early years :...
& Laurence Cook) (1975) - Live at Environ - John Fischer (with Perry Robinson & Rick Kilburn) (1975)
- Environ Days - John Fischer (with Lester BowieLester BowieLester Bowie was an American jazz trumpet player and composer. He was a member of the AACM, and cofounded the Art Ensemble of Chicago.-Biography:...
, Perry Robinson, Charles TylerCharles Tyler (musician)Charles Lacy Tyler was an American jazz baritone saxophonist.Tyler was born in Cadiz, Kentucky and spent his childhood years in Indiana, New York City and Cleveland, Ohio...
, Marion BrownMarion BrownMarion Brown was a jazz alto saxophonist and ethnomusicologist. He is most well known as a member of the 1960s avant-garde jazz scene in New York City, playing alongside musicians such as John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, and John Tchicai...
, Arthur BlytheArthur BlytheArthur Blythe is an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. His stylistic voice has a distinct vibrato and he plays within the post-bop subgenre of jazz.- Biography :...
& Philip Wilson) (recorded 1970's, Released 1991) - I Wanna Play for You - Stanley ClarkeStanley ClarkeStanley Clarke is an American jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work on double bass and electric bass guitar as well as for his numerous film and television scores...
– 1977 Sony UPC: 074646429525 - It Just So Happens - Ray Anderson 1978 Enja UPC: 063757503729
- You Better Fly Away - Clarinet Summit (with John CarterJohn Carter (musician)For the jazz clarinet player John Carter, see John Carter .John Carter is an English singer, songwriter and record producer.-Overview:...
, Gianluigi TrovesiGianluigi Trovesithumb|200px|Gianluigi Trovesi in 2006.Gianluigi Trovesi is an Italian jazz saxophonist, clarinetist and composer.A native of Nembro near Bergamo in Lombardy, he studied harmony and counterpoint under Vittorio Fellegara. Since then he has been a major player in the Italian and European jazz scene....
, Theo JörgensmannTheo JörgensmannTheodor Franz Jörgensmann is a jazz and free-improvising Basset clarinet player and composer. He has been a professional musician since 1975.-Activities:...
, Bernd Konrad, Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky, Didier LockwoodDidier LockwoodDidier Lockwood is a French jazz violinist. He played in the progressive rock/jazz fusion band Magma in the 1970s and is known for his use of electric amplification and experimentation on different sounds on the electric violin....
, Stan TraceyStan TraceyStanley William Tracey CBE is a British jazz pianist and composer, most influenced by Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk.-Early career:...
, Eje ThelinEje ThelinEje Thelin was an innovative Swedish trombonist, widely admired among fellow trombonists for his facile technique and rhythmic intensity...
, Kai Kanthak, J.F. Jenny-Clark, Günter "Baby" SommerGünter SommerGünter Baby Sommer is a German jazz drummer.He studied music in Dresden. He rose to fame in the GDR. He is part of the European free jazz avantgarde. He was part of the trio with Conny Bauer and Peter Kowald...
, Aldo RomanoAldo RomanoAldo Romano is a jazz drummer. He also started a rock group in 1971.-Biography:He moved to France as a child and by the 1950s he was playing guitar and drums professionally in Paris, but his career gained notice when he started working with Don Cherry in 1963. He recorded with Steve Lacy and...
) (1979) - Mr. Playdough Man - Cool and the Clones, Ejaz (cassette) - 1979 - 1983
- Celestial Glory - Gunter Hampel & His Galaxie Dream Band 1981
- Inscapes - Gunter Hampel, Birth BVNT05 (video)
- Live in Eastern Europe - John Fischer (1983)
- Licorice Factory (1986) - Licorice Factory
- Songs Of The Working People - Flying Fish 483 – 1988
- Materialized Perception - German Clarinet DuoGerman Clarinet DuoGerman Clarinet Duo was a German jazz clarinet duo with Theo Jörgensmann, clarinet and Eckard Koltermann, bass clarinet. The duo formed in 1984 and existed until 1998...
(1992) - Jew-azzic Park - Klezmokum (1994)
- Pogressions - Lou Grassi (1995)
- ReJew-Venation - Klezmokum (1998)
- Pushin' 30 - Eli Yamin, Yamin Music - 1998
- The Best of Kilopop! - Chris Butler, Future Fossil Music DIG4-CD/FF – 2000
- New Prohibition: A Music History of Hemp (Various Artists) - Viper Records – 2001
- Klezmokum: Le Dor Va Dor - BVHAAST 0700 – 2001
- Bob's Pink Cadillac - William Parker Clarinet Trio – 2002 Eremite Records UPC: 723724625129
- ComPOsed - Lou Grassi's PoBand/John Tchicai 2002
- Buzzy Linhart Presents the Big Few (2003) - Buzzy Linhart
- Kundalini Rhapsody - Muruga Booker, Dr. Dennis Chernin, & Perry Robinson – 2003 Think
- One Global Village - Global Village Ceremonial Band – 2005 Qbico
- Honeysuckle Dog - Chris Smither 2004 Okra-tone Records UPC: 691874497128
- Invisible Cities - Steve Swell/Perry Robinson 2004
- Rarum Xv - Carla Bley 2004 Ecm Records UPC: 044001420825
- Holy Ghost: Rare & Unissued Recordings (1962-70) (2004) - Albert Ayler (Interviewee) Revenant Records UPC: 630814021320
- Children Song - Children Song 2005 Konnex UPC: 4017867030978
- Free Funk – Free Funk (2005) Self-Titled LP on Qbico Records
- Carnival Skin - Perry Robinson, Peter Evans, Bruce Eisenbeil, Hilliard Greene, Klaus Kugel - Nemu Records - 2005
- Impulse Story - Archie Shepp Impulse Records 2006 UPC: 602498551165
- Still Travelling - West Wind Records – 2006 UPC: 614511742122
- First Blues - Allen Ginsberg – (2006) Water UPC: 646315716627
- Muruga & The Global Village Ceremonial Band - (2005) Self Titled LP on Qbico Records
- House That Trane Built: Story Of Impulse Records - Various Artists (2006) Impulse Records UPC: 602498562833
- The Soul In The Mist - Andrea Centazzo, Perry Robinson & Nobu Stowe (2007) Ictus Records
- Hommage an Klaus Kinski - Nobu Stowe-Lee Pembleton Project (2007) Soul Note Records
- Ancestors, Mindreles, Nagila Monsters - Klez-Edge (2008) Tzadik UPC: 702397812722
- OrthoFunkOlogy – Free Funk (2008) Musart
External links
- "Perry Robinson Discography"
- "A Fireside Chat with Perry Robinson" — at All About Jazz posted November 13, 2003
- Perry Robinson official Facebook page
- Perry Robinson on Myspace