Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

July 8, 1892 in Indianapolis, IN

Death

:

September 30, 1963 in Palmdale, CA

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

J. Russel Robinson was an American composer and pianist who was born on April 16, 1892, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the son of a music teacher and began his musical education at a young age. Robinson showed a natural talent for music and quickly became proficient in playing the piano. Robinson's family moved to New York City when he was a teenager, and he continued his musical education there. He studied at the Institute of Musical Art (now known as the Juilliard School) and the New York College of Music. Robinson also studied composition with some of the leading composers of the time, including Percy Grainger and Charles Ives. Robinson's early compositions were influenced by the popular music of the day, including ragtime and jazz. He began to gain recognition for his compositions in the 1910s and 1920s, and his music was performed by some of the leading orchestras of the time, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. One of Robinson's most famous compositions is his "Old Black Joe" Variations, which is based on the Stephen Foster song "Old Black Joe." The piece was first performed in 1916 and quickly became popular. It has since been performed by many orchestras and has been recorded by numerous artists. Robinson also composed music for Broadway shows, including the hit musical "Sally" in 1920. He continued to compose music for Broadway throughout the 1920s and 1930s, and his music was featured in several successful shows. In addition to his work as a composer, Robinson was also a talented pianist. He often performed his own compositions and was known for his virtuosic playing style. Robinson also performed with some of the leading orchestras of the time, including the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Robinson's music continued to be popular throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He composed music for several films, including "The Big Broadcast of 1938" and "The Great Victor Herbert." Robinson also continued to compose music for Broadway shows, including "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1936" and "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1943." Robinson's music fell out of favor in the 1950s and 1960s as musical tastes changed. However, his music has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and his compositions are now being performed and recorded by a new generation of musicians. J. Russel Robinson died on June 30, 1963, in New York City. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world. Robinson's compositions are known for their catchy melodies, virtuosic piano playing, and their ability to capture the spirit of the times in which they were written.

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