Banjo Ikey Robinson (1929-1937)

DOCD-1508-2 Banjo lkey Robinson 1929 – 1937 Recordings Ikey Robinson, vocal, banjo, guitar, clarinet, Includes: Jabbo Smith cornet; Jimmy Flowers, piano; Charlie Slocum, vocal (Sloke and Ike), Mike McKendrick, guitar, Tressie Mitchell, vocal; Alex Hill, vocal, piano; and others… Genres: Jazz, Blues. Informative booklet notes by Jim Williams. Detailed discography.

Banjo lkey Robinson played honest music. No tricks. No scams. No pretences. His work on banjo, guitar and a bit of clarinet-playing with his Windy City Five provides evidence of a journeyman player making happy, good-time, energetic and delightfully listenable music.

On this CD lkey demonstrates his single-string solo prowess as he splits a chorus with clarinettist Omer Simeon on the up-tempo Got Butter On lt. Then he provides solid rhythm section work on the rollicking Ready Hokum. And of course, there is the trumpet fire of Jabbo Smith to enjoy as well. Throughout these lively sides Robinson is comfortable either as a soloist or as a rhythm section man, the hallmark of jazz playing competence.

lf you hunger for a screaming kazoo, stomping banjo, piano and some unique Ikey Robinson vocal and scat frivolity, the Pods of Pepper sides, with lkey leading the festivities, are a banquet.

The final Sloke and lke numbers verify Robinson’s guitar mastery in a blues setting with Charlie Slocum. These performances document that Mr. Robinson was a masterful performer whether the format was jazz or blues, both as an instrumentalist or as a vocalist.

NOTE: 2 titles by Banjo Ikey Robinson with vocals by Frankie Jaxon on can be found on Document DOCD-5258.