HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Banjo Ikey Robinson

Ikey Robinson

Born in Dublin, Virginia, on 28 July 1904, Isaac "Banjo" Robinson, began working for jazz pianist, Jelly Roll Morton, in Chicago in 1926. He made his first recordings 1927 with Richard M. Jones' Jazz Wizards. He began recording with trumpeter, Jabbo Smith, at the same session that he put down his first name titles in 1929. He and Smith were pretty tight, documenting numerous titles that year, and they would partner again along their similar careers.

'Hollywood Shuffle' Ikey Robinson (banjo) w Richard M. Jones' Jazz Wizards

Robinson's first-known recording to issue

13 June 1927 in Chicago Matrix 38682 Victor 20812

Trumpet: Eddie Mallory Trombone: Henry "Hi" Clark

Alto sax/ clarinet: Artie Starks Tenor sax / clarinet: Warner Seals

Piano: Richard Jones

Composition: Richard Jones

'Got Butter On It' Ikey Robinson (banjo) and His Band

4 Jan 1929 in Chicago Matrix C-2747 Brunswick 4963

Cornet: Jabbo Smith Trombone: Henry "Hi" Clark

Alto sax/ clarinet: Omer Simeon Bass sax / clarinet: Millard Robins

Piano: William Barbee

Composition: Richard M. Jones

'Jazz Battle' Ikey Robinson (banjo) w Jabbo Smith's Rhythm Aces

29 Jan 1929 in Chicago Matrix C-2884 Brunswick 4244

Trumpet: Jabbo Smith Clarinet: Omer Simeon

Piano: Cassino Simpson

Composition: Jabbo Smith

An early use of the word "rock" in music was Robinson's 'Rock Me Mama' which went down on 9 February of 1929 toward Brunswick ‎7059. Other early uses of the word "rock" were Trixie Smith's 'My Man Rocks Me' in 1922, Clara Smith's 'Rock, Church, Rock' in 1926 and Lil Johnson's 'Rock That Thing' which she put away on 17 July of 1929.

'Rock Me Mama' Ikey Robinson (banjo) and His Bull Fiddle Band

9 Feb 1929 in Chicago Matrix C-2939 Brunswick 7059

Violin: Robert Waugh Bass: Bill Johnson

Washboard / vocal: Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon

Composition: Ikey Robinson

'Little Willie Blues' Ikey Robinson (banjo) and His Bull Fiddle Band

22 Feb 1929 in Chicago Matrix C-2999-A Brunswick 7058

Piano: William Barbee Bass: Bill Johnson Tuba: Hayes Alvis

Vocal: Robinson

Composition: Jabbo Smith

Per 'Take Your Time' below, personnel in the video differs from that of Tom Lord. Personnel in the video is listed per page 83 of the booklet to Part 1 of 5 of the huge 'The Encyclopedia of Jazz' which is 'Classic Jazz: From New Orleans to Harlem'. That is a 100 x CD released in 2008.

'Take Your Time' Ikey Robinson (banjo) w Jabbo Smith's Rhythm Aces

23 Feb 1929 in Chicago Matrix C-3003 Brunswick 7061

Trumpet: Jabbo Smith Clarinet: Omer Simeon Piano: William Barbee [Lord]

Tuba: Hayes Alvis Bass: Bill Johnson

Composition: Jabbo Smith

'Michigander Blues' Ikey Robinson (banjo) w Jabbo Smith's Rhythm Aces

30 March 1929 in Chicago Matrix C-3212 Brunswick 7069

Trumpet: Jabbo Smith Alto sax: Willard Brown Piano: Earl Frazer [Lord]

Tuba: Hayes Alvis

Composition: Jabbo Smith

'You've Had Your Way' Ikey Robinson (banjo) w the Pods of Pepper

6 Feb 1931 in NYC Matrix W151278 Columbia 14590-D

Kazoo: Ralph Anderson Vocal (early scat)l: Robinson

Composition: Robinson

Ikey moved on to Clarence Williams' Novelty Band and Jug Band in the early thirties before holding his last session in 1938 with Georgia White.

'You Ain't Too Old' Ikey Robinson (banjo) w Clarence Williams' Jug Band

7 Aug 1933 in NYC Matrix 152468-2 Columbia 2863-D

Clarinet: Cecil Scott Kazoo /vocal (early scat): Clarence Todd

Piano: Herman Chittison and/or Willie "The Lion" Smith

Washboard: Willie Williams Jug: Clarence Williams

Composition: Alexander Hill / Clarence Williams

'A Minor Stomp' Ikey Robinson (banjo) and His Windy City Five

2 July 1935 in Chicago Matrix 90059-A Decca 7650 / Champion 50073

Alto sax / clarinet: Willie Randall Piano: Ralph Tervalon

Guitar: Big Mike McKendrick Bass: Leonard Bibbs Drums: Melvin Draper

Composition: Robinson

'Dead Man´s Blues' Ikey Robinson (banjo) backing Georgia White

21 Oct 1938 in Chicago Matrix 91546-A Decca 7534

Piano: Georgia White Bass: John Lindsay

Composition: Norman Spencer

Tom Lord loses track of Robinson in 1938, he thereat dropping into obscurity insofar as Google can find. He led a number of ensembles in the forties, but isn't documented again until Lord finds him recording with Junie Cobb's New Hometown Band in 1961. Jabbo Smith resurfaced that year as well, after about twenty years of shelving his trumpet. Lord then follows Robinson into the seventies during which period he worked with Smith but made no records with him. Lord traces Robinson to as late as the JVC Jazz Festival in New York City on 22 June 1986 for 'At the Jazz Band Ball', 'Sweet Georgia Brown' and 'I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate'.