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Jim Robinson

1892 – 1976

American musician

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About Jim Robinson

Lived 1892 – 1976 (aged 83). Jim Robinson was an American jazz musician.

Big Jim Robinson (born Nathan; December 25, 1890 – May 4, 1976) was an American jazz musician, based in New Orleans, renowned for his deep, wide-toned, robust "tailgate" style of trombone playing, using the slide to achieve a wide swoop between two notes ("glissando") and rhythmic effects.

Biography Born Nathan Robinson in Deer Range, a small settlement on the west bank of lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, Robinson studied music under James Brown Humphrey.

Robinson arrived in New Orleans looking for work shortly before the 1915 New Orleans hurricane, which wiped out his home town of Deer Range, and prompted Robinson to settle in the city. In his youth, he got the nickname "Jim Crow" because of his facial features, which resembled a Native American. He was playing semi-professionally in his twenties, from World War I on. In the 1920s, he made his first recordings as a member of the Sam Morgan Jazz Band.

Discography New Orleans: The Living Legends (Riverside) Classic New Orleans Jazz Vol. 2 From The Rare Center Series (Biograph, 1993, 2007)

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Big Jim Robinson, Nathan Robinson

People in Jim Robinson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jim Robinson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jim Robinson?

American musician (1892–1976)

When was Jim Robinson born?

Jim Robinson was born on 25 December 1892 in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

When did Jim Robinson die?

Jim Robinson died on 4 May 1976 in New Orleans.

What was Jim Robinson's occupation?

Jim Robinson was a jazz musician.

What nationality was Jim Robinson?

Jim Robinson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jim Robinson

· Wikidata: Q1442275

· DBpedia: Jim Robinson (trombonist)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jim Robinson. https://biography.guide/jim-robinson-jazz-musician/

MLA: "Jim Robinson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jim-robinson-jazz-musician/.

Chicago: "Jim Robinson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jim-robinson-jazz-musician/.

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