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"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, Modern Drummer
Magazine - September, 2012 |
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.
In 1971, Allyn landed the drum gig with
Wayne Cochran and The C.C. Riders and his life
would never be the same. Allyn's high-energy
rhythm intensity was the perfect match for this
ground breaking soul band. During his tenure
with Wayne Cochran, Allyn played with many great
players, including Charles Brent, Red Rodney,
Lee Thornburg, Al Silvestri and the legendary
electric bassist, Jaco Pastorius. Anyone who
witnessed the C.C. Riders in the 70s had a
permanent imprint placed on their soul.
In 1972, Allyn recorded a landmark album for
Epic Records at Columbia Studios in San
Francisco, "Cochran," a highly influential album
as noted in this recent quote from drum legend
Peter Erskine:
"I
was
listening to Allyn's drumming back in 1972 on
the album "Cochran" and it had a big influence
on me ... Allyn was Jaco's rhythm mate in the
Wayne Cochran band (the band Jaco toured with
pretty much up until the time he joined Weather
Report). Allyn was my first connection to New
Orleans drumming aside from some Earl Palmer
recordings, but there was something about
Allyn's beat that must have gotten inside of my
own beat for this is one of the only
explanations of why and how Jaco decided to
recommend me so strongly to Weather Report after
only one hearing, i.e., he heard and sensed a
rhythm comfort zone (in addition to the jazz
chops I had) ... and that comfort zone came
directly from Allyn's influence on me."
 During
his extensive musical career, Allyn has
performed and/or recorded with a diverse group
of musicians including: Luther Kent, Johnny
Sansone, Professor Longhair, Tab Benoit, Dr.
Hook (featuring Ray Sawyer), Ernie K-Doe, Irma
Thomas, Frankie Ford, Eddie Bo, Jerry Lee Lewis
and Chuck Berry.
In 2013, Allyn completed
his latest record, Dreams Realized, My Life In
Music, a celebration of his rich musical history
and a stirring tribute to Jaco Pastorius,
Charles Brent and Wayne Cochran. With a 16-piece
R&B big band, Allyn takes the listener on
musical journey across the threshold where jazz
intersects with soul, funk and rhythm & blues.
From the opening track, "Amelia," a Jaco composition originally
written and performed live with Allyn and the
Cochran band in '73, to the Three Views of A
Secret inspired, The Final View, this record
is...A Dream Realized!
First Drum - At Age 6, Allyn rescued a
marching drum from a compost fire and has been
burning it up ever since. Early
Development - Played with drum corps, and school
bands in New Orleans. Started playing
professionally at age 16 and worked regularly
due to his impeccable sense of time, willingness
to learn all the styles and dedication to making
the music sound good. Wayne Cochran and
the C.C. Riders - Landed the gig at age 20 and
stayed with the band from 1971-1975. Allyn
played with many great players, including
Charles Brent, Red Rodney, Lee Thornburg, Al
Silvestri and the legendary electric bassist
Jaco Pastorius. Cochran Album - In
1972, Allyn recorded a landmark record for Epic
Records at Columbia Studios in San Francisco,
"Cochran", a highly influential record, credited
by drum legend Peter Erskine as having
significant influence on his playing and a
primary reason his early chemistry with Jaco
Pastorius. Jaco Pastorius - Allyn
played with Jaco for 10 months in the Wayne
Cochran band and became great friends with Jaco
and his family. This was a wonderful time in the
early development of two great musicians. Jaco
was 20 and Allyn was 21 years old.
Notable Gigs
- Performed or recorded with a
diverse group of musicians including: Luther
Kent, Johnny Sansone, Professor Longhair, Tab
Benoit, Dr. Hook (featuring Ray Sawyer), Ernie
K-Doe, Irma Thomas, Frankie Ford, Eddie Bo,
Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chuck Berry.
Debut
Album (2011) - "Full Circle is an expertly made,
beautifully performed party album with terrific
grooves cut by Robinson and bassist Chuck
Archard." - OffBEAT Magazine 2012. A compilation
of classic New Orleans grooves features several
of Allyn's signature styles! Modern
Drummer Magazine (2012) - Allyn was featured in
the September 2012 Issue of Modern Drummer
Magazine. The article provides a wonderful
retrospective on Allyn's career, including a
discussion of his close relationship with Jaco
Pastorius, his New Orleans background and gigs
with Wayne Cochran, Dr. Hook and Tab Benoit.
New Album (2013) - 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. The
New CD is available on CD Baby, iTunes and
Amazon and can be streamed at
www.allynrobinson.com
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