Prince Robinson (June 7, 1902 – July 23, 1960) [1] was an American jazz reed player. He was known for soloing on both tenor saxophone and clarinet in the same recording. [2]
Robinson was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. [3] He learned to play clarinet as a teenager and moved to New York in 1923, after playing locally in Virginia. [2]
In New York, Robinson quickly found work both performing and recording, with the Blue Rhythm Orchestra, June Clark, Duke Ellington, [3] Billy Fowler, the Gulf Coast Seven, Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Howard, Clara Smith, and Elmer Snowden. [3] He played in Leon Abbey's group on a tour of South America in 1927, [2] and the following year became a member of McKinney's Cotton Pickers. [3]
In the 1930s, Robinson worked with Lil Armstrong, Willie Bryant, Blanche Calloway, Roy Eldridge, and with Teddy Wilson accompanying Billie Holiday. [3] His career continued in the 1940s, including work with Louis Armstrong, Lucky Millinder, and Benny Morton; in 1945, he joined Claude Hopkins's band, remaining with Hopkins until 1952. [3] Later in the 1950s, he worked with Fletcher Henderson again and with Red Allen and Freddie Washington, [2] in addition to leading his own ensemble in 1953. [3]
His last recording was "Mainstream Jazz" by Andy Gibson and his Orchestra in 1959. He played a solo in tenor sax on the theme "Blueprint".
Robinson died in New York City in July 1960. [2]
Prince Robinson (June 7, 1902 – July 23, 1960) [1] was an American jazz reed player. He was known for soloing on both tenor saxophone and clarinet in the same recording. [2]
Robinson was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. [3] He learned to play clarinet as a teenager and moved to New York in 1923, after playing locally in Virginia. [2]
In New York, Robinson quickly found work both performing and recording, with the Blue Rhythm Orchestra, June Clark, Duke Ellington, [3] Billy Fowler, the Gulf Coast Seven, Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Howard, Clara Smith, and Elmer Snowden. [3] He played in Leon Abbey's group on a tour of South America in 1927, [2] and the following year became a member of McKinney's Cotton Pickers. [3]
In the 1930s, Robinson worked with Lil Armstrong, Willie Bryant, Blanche Calloway, Roy Eldridge, and with Teddy Wilson accompanying Billie Holiday. [3] His career continued in the 1940s, including work with Louis Armstrong, Lucky Millinder, and Benny Morton; in 1945, he joined Claude Hopkins's band, remaining with Hopkins until 1952. [3] Later in the 1950s, he worked with Fletcher Henderson again and with Red Allen and Freddie Washington, [2] in addition to leading his own ensemble in 1953. [3]
His last recording was "Mainstream Jazz" by Andy Gibson and his Orchestra in 1959. He played a solo in tenor sax on the theme "Blueprint".
Robinson died in New York City in July 1960. [2]