"Allyn Robinson is a key "missing
link" in the recent history of that time and
place where R&B intersected with jazz and
fusion, etc." -
Drumming Legend Peter Erskine
Allyn Robinson has been
playing drums for over 40 years and is New
Orleans best kept secret. As
noted in a recent interview with blues legend
Tab Benoit, "He's one of the rare New
Orleans drummers who knows how to play a blues
shuffle. In fact B.B. King told him so and loved
his groove." From shuffles to Funk,
R&B, 2nd Line and Zydeco, Allyn is a master of
the New Orleans Rhythm Book.
Born and
raised in New Orleans, he has the heartbeat of
the city in his soul. From this rich melting pot
of music, Allyn developed a signature cadence
that truly stands out and has been electrifying
audiences for decades.
A unique mesh of
50s R&B bedrock and classic New Orleans styles
makes for an explosive mix and a memorable
groove for all.
New CD released October
1, 2013. Click
here to learn more.
More Information
Please download Allyn's
press kit (PDF) for a short
bio. Or,
you can read Allyn's full history online,
including a discography and information about
his relationship with Jaco Pastorius, by going to the
history
page.
Select
Videos of Allyn Robinson
"Jazz
Excursions" with Luther Kent and Trick
Bag 1981
The September issue of Modern
Drummer magazine
featured a What Do You Know About
article on New Orleans drummer Allyn
Robinson. In
1979 Allyn formed a band with former C.
C. Rider musical director Charlie Brent
and legendary Louisiana singer Luther
Kent called Trick Bag. Allyn's ease at
handling a large band with horns is
obvious in the YouTube video "Jazz
excursions with Luther Kent and Trick
Bag." Every
major artist that appeared in New
Orleans over the next five years came to
hear or sit in with this incredible
band. -
Modern Drummer On Twitter
September 10, 2012
Click
here to
read Allynss Modern Drummer Article.
The Allyn
Robinson Project: Live at Rollins
College (highlights) October 17, 2011
Allyn hosted a two-day
career retrospective, master class and
concert at Rollins College in Winter
Park, Florida, in October 2011.
Allyn discussed his years
growing up and playing in New Orleans,
his life-changing tenure with Wayne
Cochran and The C.C. Riders, his musical
partnership with legendary electric
bassist Jaco Pastorius. Allyn
showcased his 2011 recording Full
Circle, a compilation of classic
R&B and New Orleans grooves. The Rollins
concert featured two esteemed alumni
from the Wayne Cochran band: Allyn and
guitarist Harry Hann, plus musical
arranger and bassist, Chuck Archard.
Wayne Cochran
and the CC Riders: Live at the
Fillmore West (1971)
On April 1, 1971,
Wayne Cochran and The C.C. Riders played
a classic show at San Francisco's
legendary Fillmore West Auditorium.
Allyn had been with the band for only a
few weeks. It was truly baptism by
fire and Allyn burned it up, as evident
on this cut from the concert.
Wayne
Cochran and the CC Riders "Somebody's
Been Cuttin' In On My Groove"
Not long after their
classic concert at the Fillmore West,
the Cochran band took residence at the
famed Columbia Studios in San Francisco
to record the seminal album, Cochran,
for EPIC Records. The record
received critical acclaim and was
awarded 5 out of 5 Stars by Downbeat
Magazine in September 1972.
Allyn brought his brand of greasy New
Orleans R&B to the band as can be heard
on the classic tune "Somebody's Been
Cuttin' In On My Groove."
Tab Benoit
Live at the Sarasota Blues Festival 1996
"Make Your Mind Up"
"He's one of
the rare New Orleans drummers who knows
how to play a blues shuffle." - Tab Benoit
Allyn toured and recorded with Tab
Benoit for six years. Inspired by
a late night jam at Allyn's house gig in
New Orleans, Tab, Allyn and bassist Doug
Therrien joined forces in 1994.
They recorded three CDs along the way,
Standing on the Bank (1995),
Live: Swampland Jam (1997),
and These Blues Are All Mine
(1999). The combination of Allyn's
greasy blues shuffles and R&B funk
grooves was the perfect foundation for
Tab and his brand of Cajun-influenced
blues. Check out Tab, Allyn and
Doug at the Sarasota Blues Festival in
1996. Killer R&B Funk Groove!
Andy J.
Forest plays "The Blues Blues" at BMC
New Orleans with the NOtown Band
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." The band has never sounded
better and the live setting is perfect
for this line-up. 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. In this video,
Allyn is locking into a classic shuffle
groove at the BMC in the heart of New
Orleans.
For all bookings, including live
performances, educational clinics and
master classes, sessions, press
inquiries, and all other opportunities,
please contact:
Click
here to
read Allyn's Offbeat
Magazine article!
Click
here to
read Allyn's feature in
Modern Drummer!
Click to download:
Press Kit
High-Res
Photo
The Allyn
Robinson Project Dreams Realized,
My Life in Music
Dreams Realized, My Life
In Music 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
Pastorius, Willie Tee, The Gaturs, Dizzy
Gillespie and Wayne Cochran and The C.C.
Riders.
Enjoy the tracks for free
below! Click
here to open the
liner notes while listening!