An interview with Henry Robinett

[henryrobinett]

Henry Robinett Paths to Here Interview - by Eric Siegel

This just came out. Eric Siegel and his Paths To Here series.


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[bako]

Great read. Glad to learn some of your back story.

[henryrobinett]

Great read. Glad to learn some of your back story.

Thank you bako!


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[sgcim]

What a great interview, Henry. If they didn't want anyone to know about Mingus' illness, why couldn't they tell you that?
How can you blame someone for something like that?
I was kind of disappointed that the interview didn't get around to the other musician in your family, my old buddy Rudy Williams.Rudy was one of the nicest people I ever met, and I always regret that I had just started my first music teaching gig in the NYC public school system, and was told not to take any days off in my first year, so I couldn't attend Rudy's funeral that morning. If you ever see his sister, please apologize to her for me. It's something I still regret after all these years.
We spoke about Rudy before, and all the gigs Rudy and I did together.
I'll never forget the time he brought down his friend, the great bop bass player Leonard Gaskin to a gig, and they were cracking each other up so much, they just stopped playing in the middle of a song, and no one said a word because we were all in awe of Gaskin just being there.

Rudy also got me on a gig with one of the greatest singing drummers, Charles "Honeyboy" Otis who dug my playing and invited me to go down to Tramps, and audition for the 'Big' Joe Turner gig, but I couldn't make it cause I had a gig that night.

And then there was a recording date he got me on with the pianist/composer Jabaz Williams, who I believe was a pianist for Motown in the 60s.

Did Rudy ever mention any of those cats to you?

[Bop Head]

Nice interview. My favorite quote: “Play your own shit even if it stinks.” (Mingus)

Best regards from disco town Munich

EDIT: Second favorite quote: “Henry, the fact that Tommy is Chinese, does it have anything to do with the story you're telling me? [...] We don't make those kind of distinctions in this family.” Very interesting in the context of this discussion. BTW Mingus was the one who recommended Sheila Jordan to go to Tristano to study with him.

[henryrobinett]

What a great interview, Henry. If they didn't want anyone to know about Mingus' illness, why couldn't they tell you that?
How can you blame someone for something like that?

Yeah. That's it. But you know. They just assumed I'd have known, which I should have. You don't talk about people in their own homes. Period. So yes, I wasn't told his illness was secret. But on the other hand it wasn't my business to mention anything about anything. They're both gone now so I'm free to say what I want.

I was kind of disappointed that the interview didn't get around to the other musician in your family, my old buddy Rudy Williams.Rudy was one of the nicest people I ever met, and I always regret that I had just started my first music teaching gig in the NYC public school system, and was told not to take any days off in my first year, so I couldn't attend Rudy's funeral that morning. If you ever see his sister, please apologize to her for me. It's something I still regret after all these years.
We spoke about Rudy before, and all the gigs Rudy and I did together.
I'll never forget the time he brought down his friend, the great bop bass player Leonard Gaskin to a gig, and they were cracking each other up so much, they just stopped playing in the middle of a song, and no one said a word because we were all in awe of Gaskin just being there.

Rudy also got me on a gig with one of the greatest singing drummers, Charles "Honeyboy" Otis who dug my playing and invited me to go down to Tramps, and audition for the 'Big' Joe Turner gig, but I couldn't make it cause I had a gig that night.

And then there was a recording date he got me on with the pianist/composer Jabaz Williams, who I believe was a pianist for Motown in the 60s.

Did Rudy ever mention any of those cats to you?

He never did, but that was a long time ago. He was a very sweet man. As a matter of fact it was at his house in Long Island that the family was cracking up imagining me flim-flamming anyone. Both of his siblings were fine musicians. Estella Williams was a great singer and organist who turned down a proposal from Red Mitchel. They dated for many years and weer in love.

[henryrobinett]

Nice interview. My favorite quote: “Play your own shit even if it stinks.” (Mingus)

Best regards from disco town Munich

EDIT: Second favorite quote: “Henry, the fact that Tommy is Chinese, does it have anything to do with the story you're telling me? [...] We don't make those kind of distinctions in this family.” Very interesting in the context of this discussion. BTW Mingus was the one who recommended Sheila Jordan to go to Tristano to study with him.

Thank you. Favorite quotes of mine too!Weird about Tristano. I read that book about three times. Funny but I don't remember that.

[benhatchins]

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