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Justin Robinson


Alto saxophonist Justin Robinson was born August 14, 1968, in Manhattan. He first picked up a horn at the age of 13, and honed his sound while attending the High School of Music and Arts (LaGuardia High School) in New York.

Robinson developed a passion for the alto sax and, from the influences of Charlie Parker and Jackie McLean, crafted his own distinctive sound. Robinson has collaborated with eminent artists such as the Harper Brothers, Cecil Brooks III, Abbey Lincoln, Diana Ross, Little Jimmy Scott, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, The Dizzy Gillespie All Star Band, and most recently, The Roy Hargrove Big Band in addition to the Roy Hargrove Quintet.

Justin Robinson wields a hefty portfolio: joined Harper Brothers at 18, debuted on Verve at 22, a decade's-worth of star sideman gigs. All of that hang-time paid off with his 1998 recording The Challenge on Arabesque Records. Penning six of the compositions, selecting an inspired posse of young ringers (Ron Blake, tenor sax; Stephen Scott, piano; Dwayne Burno, bass; Dion Parsons, drums), Robinson also produced the whole shebang.

Robinson also released as a solo artist Justin Time in 1991 with Verve Music Group label. It was produced by Bobby Watson, who also appears on the recording, in additon to Gary Bartz, on alto saxophones, and includes more young ringers of that time: Eddie Henderson - trumpet; Kenny Barron, Stephen Scott - pianos; Peter Washington - bass; Lewis Nash - drums.

Justin Robinson lives in New Jersey and is currently touring with trumpeter Roy Hargrove.


Photo Credit: Eddy Westveer

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6
Album Review

Justin Page: Lost and Found

Read "Lost and Found" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


All too often in life, people find themselves reminiscing about their past accomplishments, only wishing they could go back in time to pick up where they left off. Unfortunately, many never get the opportunity to try again. New York-based drummer Justin Page, however, is an exception. The album, Lost And Found, is an excellent comeback for this talented artist. Page was something of a child prodigy who became active in the jazz scene from an early age. He ...

6
Album Review

Santi Debriano: Flash of the Spirit

Read "Flash of the Spirit" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Bassist/composer Santi Debriano has been prominently on the scene since the late seventies, when he worked for several years with saxophonist Archie Shepp. Born in Panama, and raised in Brooklyn from a very young age, his life was integrated with the many crosscurrents of jazz music in the Americas. He worked prominently with Sam Rivers in Paris for a few years, before heading back to New York to perform with the likes of Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Fortune, Larry Coryell, Freddie ...

186
Album Review

Justin Robinson: The Challenge

Read "The Challenge" reviewed by John Sharpe


For every young jazz musician the challenge lies in their ability to develop an original, uniquely identifiable sound. Altoist Justin Robinson, whose sound and approach owe a huge debt to Charlie Parker, has a way to go before he meets that goal. Justin spent some time in the short-lived Harper Brother's band (along with pianist Stephen Scott) and has released one other record under his name (Verve/1991). Scott, who has since carved out a fine career of his own, accompanies ...

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... "For every young jazz musician the challenge lies in their ability to develop an original, uniquely identifiable sound. Altoist Justin Robinson, whose sound and approach owe a huge debt to Charlie Parker, has a way to go before he meets that goal. Justin spent some time in the short-lived Harper Brother's band (along with pianist Stephen Scott) and has released one other record under his name-- Justin Time(Verve/1991). Scott, who has since carved out a fine career of his own, accompanies Justin again on The Challenge and is the album's strongest presence. He makes the most of his solo opportunities and his originals, "Master Scott" and "The Challenge," are solid. Robinson's compositions reflect a deep love and respect for his family. "No More Sacrifices" is an intense 16-bar blues dedicated to his mother, while the ballad "Love Thy Father" and "Adnil," a playful tribute to his younger sister, demonstrate that Justin possesses a certain talent for writing. Tenorist Ron Blake augments the quartet on four tunes and his interaction with the leader is pleasantly combative. " ~~ John Sharpe, All About Jazz, 1999

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone, alto

Credentials/Background

****

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Justin Page and...

Temporal Acuity Publishing
2021

buy

Flash of the Spirit

Truth Revolution Records
2021

buy

Lost and Found

Temporal Acuity Publishing
2020

buy

Earfood

EmArcy
2008

buy

The Challenge

Arabesque Jazz
1999

buy

The Chief (Al Foster)

From: Lost and Found
By Justin Robinson

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