Janice Robinson
Janice Robinson has performed and recorded with the finest jazz big bands and ensembles in the country including those of Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Taylor, Marian McPartland, Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis, Slide Hampton, The Jazzmobile All Star Big Band, Gil Evans, McCoy Tyner, George Gruntz and Mercer Ellington many others. Janice's performances include membership in orchestras of The Dance Theater of Harlem, The St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble, Broadway Shows of Dream Girls and Ain't Misbehavin'. In addition to recordings with Stevie Wonder, The Village People, Frank Foster, The Jazz Composer's Orchestra Association and many other jazz/popular artists, she has recorded music for several Spike Lee films and various television/radio jingles.
In the steeltown of Clairton, Pennsylvania, a wide range of musical styles influenced and shaped the music of Janice Robinson. While her family exposed her to hymns and sacred songs, she was also listening to R & B, folk, rock music and jazz. Janice performed on the trombone as a member of the school bands and The PittsburghYouth Symphony Orchestra. While still a teenager, she was introduced to a nationwide television audience, performing Joe Campus' popular/swing version of "A Taste of Honey" on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour and The First Bill Cosby Special for NBC.
While studying the trombone with Emory Remington and arranging with Ray Wright, at The Eastman School of Music, her experiences outside of school included freelance work in Rochester, singing in Erich Schwandt's Gregorian Chant Choir and touring with The Chuck Mangione Orchestra and The American Wind Symphony.
After arriving in New York City in 1973, she continued performing and recording in a wide variety of musical settings while developing as an improvisor and composer (see bio list). She embraces all of these influences in her compositions, some of which were captured and presented on her CD, ROSEBRASS, The Janice Robinson Quintet, recorded live. Future recordings will include her music and lyrics for vocalists in a range of styles including jazz, popular, r&b, gospel, inspirational songs, children's songs and instrumental ensemble compositions.
