Dave Robbins (1923–2005) was an influential American-Canadian trombonist, composer, arranger and teacher. Born in Greensburg, Indiana, Robbins studied music education at Sam Houston State Teachers' College

Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University was founded in 1879 and is the third oldest public institution of higher learning in the State of Texas. It is located in Huntsville, Texas. It is one of the oldest purpose-built institutions for the instruction of teachers west of the Mississippi River and the first...

 and the University of Southern California

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...

. After a stint in the US Marine Corps Robbins worked as a trombonist in symphony orchestras and the Harry James

Harry James

Henry Haag “Harry” James was a trumpeter who led a jazz swing band during the Big Band Era of the 1930s and 1940s. He was especially known among musicians for his astonishing technical proficiency as well as his superior tone.-Biography:He was born in Albany, Georgia, the son of a bandleader of a...

 band (1948–1954). He moved to Vancouver in 1951 and became a Canadian citizen in 1965.

From 1955 to 1970, Robbins was the principal trombonist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1930 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the...

 and performed with other local orchestras. He organized and led showbands featured in Vancouver nightclubs, and led some of city's most popular big bands. In the 1960s his big band was featured regularly on national radio programs. His original compositions included Jazz Impressions of the Middle East (1967).

Robbins taught young musicians at Vancouver Community College

Vancouver Community College

Vancouver Community College is a public post-secondary institution in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Founded in 1965, it is the largest and oldest community college in British Columbia, with over 140 certificate and diploma programs...

 and the University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...

. His students included Herb Besson, Hugh Fraser

Hugh Fraser (musician)

Hugh Alexander Fraser is a Canadian jazz musician known for his work as a pianist, trombonist and composer.- Life and work :Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Fraser studied with Dave Robbins in Vancouver, Slide Hampton in New York, and Kenny Wheeler in London...

 and other prominent Canadian jazz musicians,as well as R&B saxophonist Gordie Bertram

Fraser MacPherson

John Fraser MacPherson, CM was a Canadian jazz musician born in St. Boniface, Manitoba.He moved to Victoria, British Columbia as a child, where he learned piano, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophones...

 of the Powder Blues Band

Powder Blues Band

The Powder Blues Band is a Canadian blues/pop/jazz band formed in 1978 in Vancouver. Its first album Uncut went double platinum in Canada. The second album Thirsty Ears was similarly popular...

 and New Orleans-based saxophonist and jazz educator John Doheny

John Doheny

John Steven "Pip" Doheny , is a jazz tenor saxophonist and band leader, who also plays flute, clarinet, and alto saxophone....

.