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jim robinson

Biography

Jim Robinson, born Nathan Robinson on December 25, 1890, in Deer Range, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, was a seminal figure in New Orleans jazz, renowned for his robust 'tailgate' trombone style. Initially trained on guitar by the influential Professor James Brown Humphrey, Robinson only turned to the trombone in his mid-twenties while serving in the US Army during World War I. After the 1915 hurricane destroyed his hometown, he settled permanently in New Orleans, where he balanced work as a longshoreman with an increasingly prominent musical career.

Robinson's breakthrough came in the 1920s when he joined the Sam Morgan Jazz Band, contributing to their influential Columbia recordings. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he became a fixture in the New Orleans jazz scene, playing with Kid Rena, Kid Howard, and most notably, Bunk Johnson and George Lewis, with whom he recorded extensively and toured internationally. His deep, wide-toned sound and mastery of glissando made him a favorite at Preservation Hall, where he performed with legends like 'Sweet' Emma Barrett and Percy Humphrey. Robinson's legacy is marked by his consistency, reliability, and the profound influence he had on generations of trombonists in both the United States and Europe.

Robinson's signature tune, 'Ice Cream,' became a staple of his performances, and he was known for encouraging audience participation and dancing. He recorded as a bandleader for labels such as Atlantic, Pearl, and Riverside, and remained active until shortly before his death from cancer in New Orleans on May 4, 1976.

Fun Facts

  • Robinson's nickname 'Jim Crow' was given in his youth due to his facial features, which resembled a Native American.
  • He learned trombone in the US Army during World War I, reportedly at the suggestion of fellow musician Willie Foster.
  • His signature tune, 'Ice Cream,' was so popular that audiences requested it at nearly every performance.
  • Robinson was known for promoting audience participation and encouraging dancing at his shows.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Professor James Brown Humphrey - Early music teacher who taught Robinson guitar and provided foundational musical training (N/A (early instruction, not recordings)) [circa 1900s]
  • Sonny Henry - Provided trombone lessons as Robinson transitioned from guitar to trombone (N/A (lessons, not recordings)) [circa 1910s-1920s]

Key Collaborators

  • Sam Morgan - Band leader; Robinson was a member of the Sam Morgan Jazz Band and recorded with them (Columbia recordings (1927)) [1925-1933]
  • Bunk Johnson - Robinson was a regular member of Johnson's band during the New Orleans jazz revival (Recordings with Bunk Johnson's band (1940s)) [1940s]
  • George Lewis - Frequent collaborator; Robinson toured and recorded extensively with Lewis's band (Numerous recordings and international tours) [1940s-1950s]
  • "Sweet" Emma Barrett - Performed together at Preservation Hall (Preservation Hall performances) [1960s-1970s]
  • Percy Humphrey - Performed together at Preservation Hall (Preservation Hall performances) [1960s-1970s]

Artists Influenced

  • Frank Demond - Assimilated Robinson's trombone style and succeeded him in Preservation Hall groups (Preservation Hall performances) [1970s onward]
  • Big Bill Bissonnette - Was tutored by Robinson and cited him as a central influence (Recordings and performances as a trombonist and bandleader) [1960s-1970s]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Jim Robinson with Kid Thomas, Ernie Cagnolatti & De De Pierce 2012 Album
When My Mama Was Living 2012-10-02 Album
New Orleans Stompers 2000 Album
Jada 2012-11-15 Album
Spirituals and Blues 2009-07-05 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Indian Love Call (Jim Robinson with Kid Thomas, Ernie Cagnolatti & De De Pierce)
  2. My Bucket's Got a Hole in It - Robinson (Atlantic Jazz: New Orleans)
  3. La Marseillaise (George Lewis at San Jacinto Hall)
  4. More That I Can Say
  5. South (New Orleans Stompers)
  6. Don't Go Way Nobody (George Lewis and His New Orleans Stompers, Vol. 1)
  7. Bye and Bye (New Orleans Stompers)
  8. Washington and Lee Swing (All Aboard)
  9. When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver (Jim Robinson with Kid Thomas, Ernie Cagnolatti & De De Pierce)
  10. Don't Go Way Nobody (Take 2)

References

  1. 64parishes.org

Heard on WWOZ

jim robinson has been played 8 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 12, 202510:22Mobile Stompfrom New Orleans- The Living LegendsTraditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police
Dec 12, 202509:43Right Now Is The Right Timefrom Economy Hall BreakdownTraditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police
Nov 15, 202516:08make it fast, make it slowfrom make it fast, make it slowWorld Journeyw/ Logan
Oct 25, 202511:40YearningNew Orleans Music Show - Saturday
Oct 18, 202510:49economy hall breakdownNew Orleans Music Show - Saturday
Oct 10, 202510:07In The Shade Of The Old Apple Trfrom New Orleans- The Living LegendsTraditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police
Oct 10, 202509:55Mobile Stompfrom New Orleans- The Living LegendsTraditional Jazzw/ the Jazz Police
Oct 7, 202510:57Ja-Dafrom New Orleans- The Living LegendsTraditional Jazzw/ Leslie Cooper