Edwin Robinson

I love jazz because it was the saxophone that I first saw when it was being played. I was exposed to jazz through my parents playing and listening to such musicians like Rusty Bryant, Sonny Stitts, Jr. Walker & The All-Stars, Motown groups, and the Johnny Carson Late Night Show with Dr. Severson Late Night Band. I also was brought up listening to The Grand Ole Oprey, and The Mid-Western Hayride Shows, but jazz was the hook for me, especially after I entertained playing Gospel in the church, which was soon influenced by the likes of Andre Crouch and Edwin Hawkins. Jazz is definitely apart of gospel music today. I met Rusty Bryant, who lived in our neighbor as well as Gene Walker, later in my years and was fortunate to perform with both. I have attended and listened to Grover Washington, Kenny G, George Benson, and David Sanborn...to name a few. I performed and recorded with Martha Abbott, Shirely Cesear, Randolph Sills and Sammy Stevens, Dottie Walker, and Rev. James Cleveland. One of the best shows I attended was when Wenton and Branford Marsalis came to Columbus. The first jazz record I bought was probably one of the "Yellow Jackets" or "Jazz Crusaders"...too long ago to recall. I do remember my very first album I brought when I brought my first stereo record player, and it was "Shaft" by Issac Hayes. My advice to new listeners is to listen to it all; jazz, blues/grass), R&B, jazz, pop, contemporary, reggae, gospel, etc. and just enjoy it all.