Prince Robinson

Robinson was born in Portsmouth, Virginia.[3] He learned to play clarinet as a teenager and moved to New York in 1923, after playing locally in Virginia.[2]

In New York, Robinson quickly found work both performing and recording, with the Blue Rhythm Orchestra, June Clark, Duke Ellington,[3] Billy Fowler, the Gulf Coast Seven, Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Howard, Clara Smith, and Elmer Snowden.[3] He played in Leon Abbey's group on a tour of South America in 1927,[2] and the following year became a member of McKinney's Cotton Pickers.[3]

In the 1930s, Robinson worked with Lil Armstrong, Willie Bryant, Blanche Calloway, Roy Eldridge, and with Teddy Wilson accompanying Billie Holiday.[3] His career continued in the 1940s, including work with Louis Armstrong, Lucky Millinder, and Benny Morton; in 1945, he joined Claude Hopkins's band, remaining with Hopkins until 1952.[3] Later in the 1950s, he worked with Fletcher Henderson again and with Red Allen and Freddie Washington,[2] in addition to leading his own ensemble in 1953.[3]

His last recording was "Mainstream Jazz" by Andy Gibson and his Orchestra in 1959. He played a solo in tenor sax on the theme "Blueprint".

Robinson died in New York City in July 1960.[2]

• Frank Driggs/Barry Kernfeld, "Prince Robinson". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. Second edition.