Robin Eubanks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robin Eubanks
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Robin Eubanks at the Torino Jazz Festival in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Born | October 25, 1955 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Trombone |
Robin Eubanks (born October 25, 1955) is a famous American jazz trombonist. He is known for playing a style of music called jazz fusion, which mixes jazz with other styles like rock and funk. Music runs in his family! His brothers, Kevin Eubanks and Duane Eubanks, are also talented musicians, and his uncles, Ray Bryant and Tommy Bryant, were famous jazz artists.
Contents
Musical Journey
Early Life and Career
Robin Eubanks was born in Philadelphia, a city with a rich history of music. He came from a very musical family, and his mother, Vera Eubanks, was the first piano teacher for the famous pianist Kenny Barron. After graduating with honors from the University of the Arts, Robin moved to New York City in the early 1980s to start his career.
He quickly began playing with some of the biggest names in music. He worked with legendary musicians like Slide Hampton, Sun Ra, and the pop superstar Stevie Wonder. For a time, he was the musical director for the famous band Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. He also played in drummer Elvin Jones's group, the Jazz Machine.
A Pioneer in Music
Robin Eubanks is known for being a pioneer, which means he helped create new ideas in music. He was part of a movement called M-Base, which explored new ways of creating rhythms and melodies in jazz.
He is also one of the first trombonists to use electronic effects with his instrument. This allowed him to create unique and futuristic sounds that had never been heard from a trombone before. Because of his talent, he has appeared on TV shows like The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live.
Teaching and Recognition
Besides performing, Robin Eubanks is a respected teacher. The great trombonist J.J. Johnson recommended him for a teaching job at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio. He taught there for 20 years as a professor of Jazz Trombone. He has also taught at other top music schools, like the New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music.
For ten years, from 2008 to 2019, he was a member of the SFJAZZ Collective, a band made up of some of the best jazz musicians in the world. His amazing skills have earned him many awards. He was voted the #1 Trombonist by two of the most important jazz magazines, Down Beat and Jazz Times.
Selected Albums
As a bandleader, Robin Eubanks has recorded many albums that show off his unique style. He has also played as a "sideman," which means he has recorded with many other famous artists.
As a Leader
- Different Perspectives (1988)
- Karma (1990)
- Mental Images (1994)
- Wake Up Call (1997)
- More Than Meets The Ear (2015)
As a Sideman
Eubanks has played on albums with many famous musicians, including:
- Art Blakey
- Dave Holland
- Joe Henderson
- B.B. King
- Talking Heads
- McCoy Tyner
- Barbra Streisand
