J. Russell Robinson
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J. Russel Robinson (July 8, 1892 - September 30, 1963) was a United States ragtime and jazz pianist and a composer of popular tunes.
Robinson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He started publishing ragtime compositions in his teens; his early hits included Sapho Rag and Eccentric. With his drummer brother (name?) he toured the US South in the early 1910s, including an extended stay in New Orleans. He was known for his heavily blues and jazz influenced playing style; advertisements billed him (in the somewhat racist language of the time) as "The White Boy with the Colored Fingers".
In 1919 Robinson joined the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. He then went to work with W.C. Handy's publishing company, supplying new arrangements and lyrics for popular editions of tunes like "Memphis Blues" and "Ole Miss" in the 1920s. He also played piano with various popular and blues singers in phonograph recording sessions, accompanying singers such as Annette Hanshaw, Lucille Hegamin, Marion Harris, and Lizzie Miles. On some of his acompanyments to African American singers the acompanyment was listed on the record labels as being by Spencer Williams (with Williams permission).
His popular compositions include Palesteena and Margie.
Robinson died in Palmdale, California.
