Jim Robinson (trombonist)
Encyclopedia
Jim Robinson, also known as Big Jim Robinson (December 25, 1892—May 4, 1976) was an American
jazz
musician, based in New Orleans, renowned for his deep, wide-toned, robust "tailgate" style of trombone
playing, which enabled him to achieve a wide swoop between two notes as he moved the slide—while continually buzzing air into the mouthpiece.
Born Nathan Robinson in Deer Range, a tiny settlement on the west bank of lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
, where he studied music under James Brown Humphrey. He arrived in New Orleans looking for work shortly before the Great Hurricane of 1915 which wiped out his home town of Deer Range, which prompted Robinson to settle in the city. http://www.journalofamericanhistory.org/projects/katrina/Raeburn.html?link_id=whi_jazzfuneral He was playing professionally in his twenties, from World War I
on. In the 1920s he made his first recordings as a member of the Sam Morgan
Jazz Band. He achieved gained greater fame with the resurgence of interest in early New Orleans jazz starting in the 1940s as a regular member of the bands of Bunk Johnson
and George Lewis
. Occasionally, he also led his own band and appeared regularly at Preservation Hall
in his later years.
Robinson's widely recognized, individualistic sound was influential with many later traditional and New Orleans-style jazz trombonists in the United States and Europe. These included two proteges whom Robinson tutored personally—Frank Demond and Big Bill Bissonnette
; Robinson's influence is more evident in the former.
Big Jim's signature tune, "Ice Cream", was requested at almost all personal appearances after his virtuoso performance of the number in an American Music Records
recording made in the 1940s. He also was known for promoting audience participation—especially encouraging dancing whenever feasible.
Jim Robinson died of cancer at the New Orleans Touro Infirmary
. Although he usually indicated his date of birth as Christmas Day 1892, no specific parish records are known to substantiate the exact day and year. In his May 5, 1976 obituary in The New York Times
, his age is given as 86 without citing a source, suggesting the year of birth to be 1889 or 1890.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
musician, based in New Orleans, renowned for his deep, wide-toned, robust "tailgate" style of trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
playing, which enabled him to achieve a wide swoop between two notes as he moved the slide—while continually buzzing air into the mouthpiece.
Born Nathan Robinson in Deer Range, a tiny settlement on the west bank of lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, where he studied music under James Brown Humphrey. He arrived in New Orleans looking for work shortly before the Great Hurricane of 1915 which wiped out his home town of Deer Range, which prompted Robinson to settle in the city. http://www.journalofamericanhistory.org/projects/katrina/Raeburn.html?link_id=whi_jazzfuneral He was playing professionally in his twenties, from World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
on. In the 1920s he made his first recordings as a member of the Sam Morgan
Sam Morgan
Sam Morgan may refer to:*Samuel Morgan, businessman* Sam Morgan , New Orleans jazz band musician & bandleader* Sam Morgan , New Zealand businessman*Sammy Morgan , Northern Irish footballer...
Jazz Band. He achieved gained greater fame with the resurgence of interest in early New Orleans jazz starting in the 1940s as a regular member of the bands of Bunk Johnson
Bunk Johnson
Willie Gary "Bunk" Johnson was a prominent early New Orleans jazz trumpet player in the early years of the 20th century who enjoyed a revived career in the 1940s....
and George Lewis
George Lewis (clarinetist)
George Lewis was an American jazz clarinetist who achieved his greatest fame and influence in the later decades of his life.-Ancestry:...
. Occasionally, he also led his own band and appeared regularly at Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall
Preservation Hall is a noted jazz performance hall located at 726 St. Peter Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. It hosts nightly concerts featuring a rotating roster of bands. The bands of Preservation Hall typically perform jazz in the New Orleans style.Despite the fame of the...
in his later years.
Robinson's widely recognized, individualistic sound was influential with many later traditional and New Orleans-style jazz trombonists in the United States and Europe. These included two proteges whom Robinson tutored personally—Frank Demond and Big Bill Bissonnette
Big Bill Bissonnette
Big Bill Bissonnette is a jazz trombonist and producer.He is a strong advocate of New Orleans jazz as played by the veteran African-American musicians. In the 1960s, he ran his own group The Easy Riders Jazz Band, formed his own label Jazz Crusade, and organized Northern tours for such veteran...
; Robinson's influence is more evident in the former.
Big Jim's signature tune, "Ice Cream", was requested at almost all personal appearances after his virtuoso performance of the number in an American Music Records
American Music Records
American Music Records is a United States-based record label specializing in traditional New Orleans jazz.The label was founded by William Russell in 1944, who ran the label almost entirely by himself for most of his life...
recording made in the 1940s. He also was known for promoting audience participation—especially encouraging dancing whenever feasible.
Jim Robinson died of cancer at the New Orleans Touro Infirmary
Touro Infirmary
Touro Infirmary is a non-profit hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.- Organization. :Touro Infirmary is affiliated with the Louisiana State University Health Science Center and Tulane University School of Medicine....
. Although he usually indicated his date of birth as Christmas Day 1892, no specific parish records are known to substantiate the exact day and year. In his May 5, 1976 obituary in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, his age is given as 86 without citing a source, suggesting the year of birth to be 1889 or 1890.