| Orphy Robinson | |
|---|---|
Orphy Robinson |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | October 13, 1960 |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations | Vibraphonist, composer |
| Instruments | Vibraphone Marimba |
| Years active | 1986 - present |
| Labels | Blue Note |
| Associated acts | Jazz Warriors, Courtney Pine, Andy Sheppard, Nigel Kennedy |
| Website | Orphy Robinson on Myspace |
| Notable instruments | |
| Vibraphone, Marimba, Steel Pans, Percussion, Trumpet, Saxophone | |
Orphy Robinson is an award-winning Vibraphonist. Robinson, a multi-instrumentalist, also plays the saxophone, trumpet, drums, piano, marimba and steel pans . Orphy (an in demand and versatile composer) has written music for television, film, theater, opera and contemporary classical music. Orphy is from London, UK—an acclaimed soloist who consistently works across a variety of eclectic musical forms (e.g. jazz, free jazz, free improvisation, jazz fusion, and funk music.
He released two critically acclaimed solo albums on the famous Blue Note label in the 1990s, "When Tomorrow Comes" and "The Vibes Describes",which was launched at the Montreal Jazz Festival has recorded numerous albums as a guest musician. He has also toured or appeared with many artists including Hugh Hopper[1] and Robert Wyatt. Audiences discovered his playing while he played with saxophonist Courtney Pine in the 1980s big band Jazz Warriors[2] (which was the fore runner to the Jazz Jamaica all stars orchestra. Orphy was also an original member of the Brit Funk Band Savanna which was where he first came to the notice of critics and audiences alike.
His work as a composer has led to commissions for Contemporary Dance companies like the Phoenix Dance for whom he was commissioned to write the Suite "42 Shades in the black"and subsequently represented Great Britain at the Atlanta Olympic Games, Has written for the English Proms at the Royal Albert Hall and for the Romanian violin virtuoso Alex Balanescu. He was Commissioned in 2007 for the UK celebration of the Abolition of Slavery Act, where he was invited to perform solo marimba extracts from his suite "Routes through Roots" in the Houses of Parliament. He is also well known for his work in education with schools and large scale education projects including the Hackney Empire were he has led the music Education department successfully for 6 years.
Orphy has also worked with artist such as saxophonist David Murray, Don Cherry, John Tchicai, Lester Bowie, Wynton Marsalis, Hugh Masekela, Louis Moholo, Nana Vasconcelos, Andy Sheppard, Evan Parker, Butch Morris, Springheel Jack, Sunny Murray, Mica Paris, Imagination, Savanna, Central Line, Junior Giscombe, Kenny Thomas, Jean-Paul 'Bluey' Maunick, Kate Havnevik, Neneh Cherry and many others. Orphy has continued working with award-winning saxophonist Andy Sheppard and regularly conducts up to 200 saxophonists for Andy Sheppard’s Saxophone Massive at various International jazz festivals and other events.
During 2009 several albums featuring Orphy as Guest soloist include "No now is so! by the Alexander Hawkins ensemble, "Out of office" by the "Burn out Mama" band from Finland, further albums by Louis Moholo, Leee John and Beggar & Co are due for release in late 2009. Orphy's continued work in Education have recently been recognised nationally with a nomination for Jazz Educator of the year at the All party Parliamentary Jazz Awards. He has been invited to become the Musical Director of a newly formed large scale Ensemble based at The Roundhouse working with drummer Nick Mason of Pink Floyd starting in the later part of 2009.
Robinson is also a founder member of EDGE (The Shape of things to come) a group of Artist, Writers and Promoters curating events originally pitched as a fringe to the London Jazz Festival but due to the success of their first well received programme titled Edge 08 are now curating events Internationally and all year round events in the U.K. Orphy will also launch his new large scale Ensemble "The Spontaneous Cosmic RawXtra" at the Kings Place concert venue in October 2009.
Since Late 2009 Orphy has been a featured soloist on Marimba/Vibraphone with violinist Nigel Kennedy. Performing extensive repertoire from Johann Sebastian Bach & Duke Ellington this has resulted in favourable Press reviews on the 2010 world tour with Kennedy's newly created Orchestra the "Orchestra of Life".
Orphy has also relaunched the Brit funk band Savanna at 2010 Summer Soulstice festival in London.
As Leader
As Sideman
Film & Television