Joseph Russel Robinson (July 8, 1892 – September 30, 1963) was an American ragtime, dixieland, and blues pianist and composer. He was a member of the Original Dixieland Jass Band.
Career
Robinson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. In his teens he worked as a pianist in theaters to provide music for silent movies. With a right arm that was damaged by polio, he formed unusual techniques with his left hand. His compositions were published as piano rolls by Imperial, the United Music Company, and QRS. He signed a contract with QRS to record blues songs from 1918 to 1921.
- Original Dixieland Jazz Band- Margie (1920), Victor
- Original Dixieland Jazz Band- Palesteena (1920), Victor
- Aileen Stanley- Singin' the Blues (1920), Victor
- Bessie Smith and the Down Home Trio- Aggravatin' Papa (1923), Victor
- Bessie Smith and the Down Home Trio- Beale Street Mamma (1923), Columbia
- Ted Weems Orchestra- Blue Eyed Sally (1924), Victor
- Ted Lewis Jazz Band- Eccentric (1924), Victor
- Joe Candullo and His Orchestra & Irving Kaufman- Go Wash an Elephant (If You Want to Do Something Big) (1927), Columbia
- Seger Ellis- Memories of France (1928), Columbia
- Claude Jones, Harlan Lattimore, & Connie's Inn Orchestra- Reefer Man (1932), Columbia
- Benny Goodman Orchestra- Margie (1938), Victor
Awards and honors
"Singin' the Blues" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in a 1927 recording by Frankie Trumbauer and His Orchestra featuring Bix Beiderbecke on cornet.
See also
- List of ragtime composers
References
External links
- Biography
- J. Russel Robinson recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings.