Dreams Realized, My Life In Music

On October 1, 2013, Allyn Robinson released Dreams Realized, My Life In Music.

The new record is a celebration of Allyn's rich musical history and a stirring tribute to Jaco Pastorius, Charles Brent and Wayne Cochran. With a burning 16-piece R&B big band, Allyn takes the listener on a musical journey across the threshold where jazz intersects with soul, funk and rhythm & blues.

Allyn brought together some of New Orleans' finest musicians to record an incredible mix of original tunes by bassist and musical director Chuck Archard, as well as some exciting new arrangements of classics by Jaco, Willie Tee, The Gaturs, Dizzy Gillespie and Wayne Cochran and The C.C. Riders.

From the opening track, "Amelia," a Jaco composition originally written and performed live with Allyn and the Cochran band in '73, to the Three Views of A Secret inspired, The Final View, this record is - A Dream Realized!

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Full Circle

"Full Circle is a compilation of classic R&B and New Orleans grooves featuring legendary drummer Allyn Robinson.  This recording was the brainchild of Harry Hann, who was inspired to create this project, centered around Allyn and his wonderful playground of grooves.  Harry had been harboring a collection of original gems and a few select covers that he knew would rise to the occasion.  Harry and Allyn both played with Wayne Cochran and C.C. Riders, but at different times.  Wayne Cochran was a rhythm & blues institution that generated mind-blowing music for decades and with it, many great musicians, including Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Brent and, of course, Harry and Allyn.  Anyone who witnessed the C.C. Riders in the 60s and 70s had a permanent imprint placed on their soul.  We are very fortunate to have two esteemed alumni of the Wayne Cochran band on this recording, accompanied by a stellar group of musicians led by bassist and musical arranger Chuck Archard."  - Full Circle Liner Notes
 
Full Circle received critical acclaim and laid the groundwork for an exciting series of projects featuring Allyn.  The CD was officially released on June 2, 2012 with a concert at the "Rock 'n Bowl" in New Orleans.
 
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Luther Kent & Trick Bag - Current

Luther Kent and Allyn have been playing together for more than 30 years and are still going strong today.  Allyn started playing with Luther Kent in the 1979 when Luther and Charlie Brent formed the band "Trick Bag."  To read more about Allyn's history with Luther, click here.  

Allyn plays on a regular basis with Luther in various configurations, most notably as "Luther Kent and Trick Bag."  The band played the 2012 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the show was outstanding.  The standing-room-only crowd was electrified as Luther and the big band worked its way through a high-energy set, topped off with a guest appearance from Allen Toussaint on "Let The Good Times Roll." When it comes to genuine New Orleans music, it does not get any better!

Allyn can be heard on Luther's most recent recording project, "The Bobby Bland Songbook", a tribute to the great Bobby "Blue" Bland.  At the young age of 13, Luther was inspired after seeing Bland with the Joe Scott Orchestra in Baton Rouge.  This project brings Luther full circle as he pays tribute to one of the true originators of soul-blues music.  The music is anchored by the Trick Bag line-up, complemented by New Orleans own Dr. John, Bobby Campo and Duke Bardwell, with arrangements by local legend Wardell Quezergue.  Luther brings together a mix of Memphis soul-blues and New Orleans R&B in a fitting and respectful tribute to one of the all-time greats. A must have for all Luther Kent and Bobby Bland fans!

Check out Allyn's Schedule for upcoming dates with Luther.
 
Cordray, Robinson and Campbell

Allyn recently began recording tracks with longtime friends Kenny Cordray on guitar and Mark Campbell on vocals.  The tracks are being recorded in Houston and New Orleans and will feature Mark's soulful vocals matched with Kenny's legendary guitar sound and Allyn's bedrock of drum grooves.  This project will feature various artists and include both original music as well as some classics from their collective songbook. 

Kenny is the embodiment of the heart and soul of South Texas music and has shared the stage with some of music's greatest artists including Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Jaco Pastorius, John Mayall, John Lee Hooker, Billy Gibbons, Jerry Lee Lewis and many more.  Jaco was noted as stating that Kenny was one of the greatest blues and rock players he ever heard!
Mark is a soul singer personified.  Honing his pipes in New Orleans and Muscle Shoals, Mark has worked with an incredible list of artists, most notably Jack Mack and The Heart Attack, Allen Toussaint, Marshall Seahorn, The Meters, Huey Lewis, ZZ Top, Peter Wolf, and Michael McDonald, to name a few.  Glen Frey noted Jack Mack as being one of the best soul bands to ever come out of America!

Getting these three in the studio is sure to produce some great music.  The early cuts are electric and the boys are excited to see where the groove leads them.  Stay tuned.


Andy J. Forest

Allyn has been playing and recording with legendary New Orleans Harmonica & Frattoir ace, Andy J. Forest since 1997.  Allyn can be heard on Andy's most recent recording, "NOtown Story: The Triumph of Turmoil." This release captures Andy and the band live, in their natural habitat at the corner of Decatur & Esplanade!  "NOtown" features Forest's unusual lyrics and a variety of grooves raging from Swamp to Swing and old style Rock n' Roll to New Orleans Funk, and what Forest calls "Zydeska" songs - a mixture of Zydeco and Ska.

The band has never sounded better and the live setting is perfect for this lineup.  Accompanied by Jack Kolb on guitar and David Hyde on bass, this recording takes you right there and provides the quintessential New Orleans live music experience.  Grab a libation, hit play, and kick back!

Check out Allyn's Schedule for upcoming dates with Andy.

Click here to find out more about Andy J. Forest and the NOtown Band.