Spike Robinson

(sax) 1930-2001

Henry "Spike" Robinson was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin on 16th January 1930. He began playing alto in the early 40's and in 1948 entered service in the U.S. Navy as a musician. He somehow got a posting to London in 1950 and very quickly found his way to the leading jazz clubs where the new music was being disseminated.

At this time he was Parker influenced and made some sides for the local Esquire Label in company with the leading London boppers including Victor Feldman. When he returned to America he wisely acquired a professional degree and established himself as an electronics engineer. He retained his jazz interest and switched to tenor sax, and with a style now a compound of Getz, Moore, Zoot, and Robinson he played with many local groups. Then in 1981 with the encouragement of his old friend Vic Feldman, now established in the U.S., he recorded an album of Harry Warren tunes which was well received by critics and fans alike. This album was re-released in 1994 with added tracks featuring Pete Jolly.

In 1984 some London fans who remembered him fondly from the early fifties persuaded him to come over and play some dates around the city. This he did and in company with the Eddie Thompson Trio quickly won a following and this first visit was captured on two HEP live recordings "At Chesters" CD 2028 and CD 2031. With many warm reviews in his pocket he went home but returned the following year and extended his tour base plus a further Hep recording with guest Elaine Delmar on five tracks "In Town" CD 2035.

It seemed somehow logical that with such popularity in the UK that he should move over permanently which he did. A series of recordings in varied settings followed in the late eighties and early nineties with Louis Stewart and Janusz Carmello, Roy Williams, Martin Taylor, and a Gershwin set with strings arranged by Jimmy Deuchar. He also recorded in France with Saxomania and continued an American presence on Capri Records in company with Harry Edison and Al Cohn. Spike seemed to have an endless knowledge of the classic American Songbook plus the ability to unearth long forgotten nuggets and give them his own individual polish.

In his ever increasing appearances in Europe, USA as well as in the UK he was greatly supported by his agent/manager Susan May who became Mrs Robinson. Although he was happiest playing alongside like minded contemporaries like George Masso or Al Cohn he also fitted in perfectly with younger players and his last recording was made with a band organised by altoist Derek Nash.

Spike Robinson died peacefully at his home on October 28th, 2001. His departure leaves a huge gap in the ranks of those players who love classic songs; who think and play lyrically but can swing hard when asked. He was in all respects a lovely man.

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CD2028

SPIKE ROBINSON with Eddie Thompson Trio

"At Chesters: vol 1"

Live performances 1984.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

CD2031

SPIKE ROBINSON with Eddie Thompson Trio

"At Chesters: vol 2"

Live performances 1984.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

CD2035

SPIKE ROBINSON with ELAINE DELMAR

"In Town"

Studio performances recorded at BBC, Kensington House, London during 1986 with the superb Elaine Delmar as guest artist.

Titles - Too Close For Comfort / You've Changed / Just One Of Those Things / In A Sentimental Mood / 's Wonderful / Get Out Of Town / Little Girl Blue / Everything I Love / Young And Foolish / Will You Still Be Mine.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson with Elaine Delmar - " 's Wonderful"

CD2042

SPIKE ROBINSON with STRINGS

"Plays Gershwin"

Quartet and string orchestra performances with arrangements by Jimmy Deuchar 1987.

Titles - Oh! Lady Be Good / I've Got a Crush on You / A Foggy Day / Summertime / Soon / Who Cares / Someone To Watch Over Me / Somebody Loves Me / How Long Has this Been Going on / They Can't Take That Away From Me / I've Got Rhythm.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson - "I've Got a Crush on You"

CD2045

SPIKE ROBINSON / LOUIS STEWART / JANUSZ CARMELLO

"Three For The Road"

Studio performances of standards 1989.

Titles - They Didn't Believe Me / Dearly Beloved / If You Were Mine / Yes Sir, Thats My Baby / Only A Rose / My Buddy / The Song Is You / For Heavens Sake / They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson - "They Didn't Believe Me"

CD2049

SPIKE ROBINSON with BRIAN KELLOCK TRIO

"Stairway To The Stars"

Concert performances at Queen's Hall, Edinburgh 1990.

Titles - Gone With The Wind / Beautiful Love / Gypsy Sweetheart / It's Always You / It's a Blue World / A Summer Thing / From Here To Eternity / Stairway To The Stars / It Could Happen To You.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson - "It's Always You"

CD2053

SPIKE ROBINSON with GEORGE MASSO

"Play Arlen"

Studio performances of Harold Arlen standards. A sparkling 1992 studio set from the masters of mainstream with guest Ken Peplowski on two tracks.

Titles - Let's fall In Love / Right as Rain / I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues / Taking A Chance On Love / This Time The Dreams on Me / Happiness is Just a Thing Called Joe / When The Sun Comes Out / Last Night When We Were Young / My Shining Hour / As Long As I Live / Come Rain or Come Shine / Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson - "Let's Fall in Love"

CD2087

SPIKE ROBINSON

"The CTS Session"

with Bill Crow (bass), John Williams (piano), Pete Cater (drums), and guesting on accoustic guitar Louis Stewart. Recorded in London during 1998.

Titles - You Say You Care / Smoke Gets In Your Eyes / Waterjug / Summer Night / If She Walked Into My Life / The Best Thing For Me / Potluck / Nobody Else But You / Blue Zoot / Soon Its Gonna Rain / People Will Say We're In Love.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson - "You Say You Care"

CD2056

SPIKE ROBINSON with VIC FELDMAN

"Plays Harry Warren"

1981-93.

Titles - This Heart of Mine / At Last / Boulevard of Broken Dreams / There Will Never Be Another You / This is Always / The More I See You / Lulu's Back in Town / Chatanooga Choo Choo - plus 6.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson - "This Heart of Mine"

CD2071

SPIKE ROBINSON with GENE DINOVI

"At the Stables"

1996.

Titles - Indian Love call / Quietly There / I won't Send Roses / So Do I / Only Make Believe / Maybe You'll Be There / Laura / Bad and the Beautiful / Stockholm-LA / I Can't Get Started / He Love, She Loves / I Won't Cry / All The Things You Are / Alan's Song.

Price includes postage & packaging per order: £14.99

Spike Robinson - "He Loves, She Loves"

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