jason robinson • recordings

Jason Robinson - Cerberus Rising (2009/Circumvention)

Stark, moody, and deeply conceptual solo tenor saxophone release. The first in a trilogy of solo releases.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax)

Listening examples: Cerberus, Nonaah Variation, Palimpsest (for Kid)

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Reviews:

"Robinson's disc shows a genuinely imaginative range of approaches."
-Nate Dorward, Paris Transatlantic Magazine

Jason Robinson - Fingerprint (2008/Circumvention)

All original material centered on a quartet and featuring pianist Anthony Davis on two large ensemble tracks.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax), Kamau Kenyatta (piano and sop sax), Rob Thorsen (bass), Nathan Hubbard (drums), Anthony Davis (piano 3, 5), Michael Dessen (trom 3, 5); wind ensemble (3): Ellen Weller (fl), Adnan Marquez-Borbon (fl), Andrew Geib (fl), Gabriel Sundy (b clar), Scott Walton (cond)

Listening examples (excerpts): The Wiggle Room, Silence Becomes a Roar (featuring Anthony Davis)

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Reviews:

“["Silence Becomes a Roar" is a] complex, multi-section tour de force that draws melodic and harmonic inspiration from Duke Ellington and Gil Evans... the saxophonist himself has a warm expressive tone, occasionally dipping into freer realms yet always staying true to the structure of his compositions.“
-Richard Moule, Signal to Noise

“Brav und eingängig sind die falschen Begriffe. Intensität und Intimität treffen es viel genauer... Unbedingte Empfehlung.” ["Good and unusual are the wrong terms. Intensity and intimacy meet it more exactly... Absolute recommendation.]
-Volkmar Mantei, Ragazzi

Jason Robinson - Tandem (2002/Accretions)

A conceptual "duo" album of improvisations and compositions featuring a diverse cast of music makers.

Selected as a "critic's pick" for 2002 in JazzTimes Magazine.

Jason Robinson (tenor and alto sax, flute, clarinet, electronic), Anthony Davis (piano), Peter Kowald (bass), George Lewis (trombone), Michael Dessen (trombone), Hans Fjellestad (analogue synthesizers), Nathan Hubbard (percussion), Stephanie Johnson (electronics), Marcello Radulovich (electronics)

Listening examples (full tracks): Hogs and Swine (with George Lewis), SOS (Same Old Station) (with Marcello Radulovich), Birdrock Dub (with Michael Dessen)

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Reviews:

"Jason Robinson is prolific almost to a fault. Provocative and rewarding, "Tandem" makes it clear that Robinson's artistic evolution should be most fruitful."
-George Varga, San Diego Union Tribune

"[Tandem] brings some humor into the traditionally dour world of experimental music."
-Stuart Kremsky, Cadence

"...stimulating."
-Andy Hamilton, The Wire

Jason Robinson - From the Sun (1998/Circumvention)

Robinson's debut album - all original compositions in a modern post-bop style. Features an array of well-known Bay Area jazz musicians.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax), Chuck MacKinnon (trumpet), Adam Theis (trombone), Randy Vincent (guitar), Jason Sherbundy (piano), Mel Graves (bass), Elliot Kavee (drums)

Listening examples (excerpts): Shorter Then Miles, Flight From the Sun (coming soon), Thought (coming soon)

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Reviews:

"Robinson’s CD [From the Sun] is a tour de force of composition and musicianship – a true compliment to the form."
-Argus Courier

"Jason Robinson sounds as if he could be recording in the '60s for respected jazz labels like Prestige, Fantasy, or Blue Note."
-Sonoma County Independent

"From the Sun is swinging and clear, tasteful with a modern edge, and should serve notice that Robinson has arrived."
-Sonoma County Independent

"[From the Sun] contains all original compositions and is a prime example of hard-driving modern jazz with accents that range from south of the border to heartache."
-Napa Valley Register

Cosmologic - Eyes in the Back of My Head (2008/Cuneiform)

The group's 4th album of all original material and their debut on the diverse Cuneiform label.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax), Michael Dessen (trombone), Nathan Hubbard (percussion), Scott Walton (bass)

Listening examples (excerpts): The Rumpus

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Reviews:

"Eyes in the Back of My Head is a richly rewarding statement from a group whose time for greater exposure is long overdue. Accessible yet forward thinking, this is contemporary West Coast jazz at its most heartfelt and adventurous."
-Troy Collins, All About Jazz

Cross Border Trio - New Directions (2007/Circumvention)

Arresting debut album by the transnational jazz group. Features original compositions developed over years of playing in the Mexico / USA transborder region.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax and flute), Rob Thorsen (bass), Paquito Villa (drums)

Listening examples (excerpts): 17th and Capp, Hell in Hat Yai

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Reviews:

"A formidable release."
-Andy Hamilton, The Wire

"Robinson leads the charge, his tenor the beacon for the rhythm section. He has a raw energy; he's a big brawny player who nevertheless can go all soft and gentle, and swing as well, bringing a welcome balance to the music... a fine debut."
-All About Jazz

"Das Cross Border Trio liebt den feinen, zarten Klang der Instrumente, den es nur hier und dort, auf Grund erhöhten Ausbruchs leidenschaftlicher Emotionen überschreitet. Augen zu und Ohren auf!"
-Volkmar Mantei, Ragazzi

Cosmologic - III (2005/Circumvention)

The quartet's third reease presents kaleidoscopic sound worlds and eloquently draws upon different but related traditions of improvised music.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax), Michael Dessen (trombone), Nathan Hubbard (percussion), Scott Walton (bass)

Listening examples (excerpts): X Marks the Spot (Hubbard), Indianhead Canyon (Hubbard)

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Reviews:

"Cosmologic music is initiated by individual members and then doggedly worked and reworked until its internal logics are available for genuinely creative improvisation.... More than impressive."
-The Wire, Brian Morton

"The third and newest album by this talent-rich San Diego quartet is a gem of crisp ensemble-playing and finely calibrated improvisations..."
-San Diego Union Tribune, George Varga

"III doesn’t so much stand as a document of the history of jazz as a brochure for the infinite varieties of modern improvisation.... Incredibly rewarding... Sure, it takes a little work but, for every cerebral exercise the listener is required to work through, there’s a funky-as-all-hell payoff."
-One Final Note, Daniel Spicer

Hans Fjellestad/Peter Kowald/Dana Reason/Jason Robinson - Dual Resonance (2003/Circumvention)

A "living" tribute of sorts that features the influential late German bassist Peter Kowald in a variety of groupings.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax, flute, electronics), Dana Reason (piano), Hans Fjellestad (analogue syntheziser and piano), Peter Kowald (bass)

Listening examples (excerpts): ...coming soon...

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Reviews:

"[Dual Resonance] is a presentation of free expression by creative artists interacting with the idea of the moment. While the passing of Kowald places a different spin on the sessions, the music itself breathes in testament to the artistry of these four players."
-Frank Rubolino, All About Jazz

"Kowald's legacy is in good hands."
-Ken Waxman, Jazz Weekly

"[Dual Resonance is] an up-and-down ride, a funhouse of surprises."
-Tom Djll, Signal to Noise

Cosmologic - Syntaxis (2002/Circumvention)

Sophmore release by the critically-acclaimed avant-jazz quartet. All original compositions.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax, flute, electronics), Michael Dessen (trombone, percussion), Nathan Hubbard (percussion), Scott Walton (bass)

Listening examples (excerpts): Restless Years (Dessen), A Secret No One Knows II (Hubbard), Axis (Robinson)

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Reviews:

"The music crosses chronological time zones, showing total understanding of the history of free playing...Cosmologic is a together band with many inventive cards up its sleeve. It presents music of burly consistency without sacrificing sensitivity."
-Cadence Magazine, Frank Rubilino

"Forget commercial labeling, this is real contemporary jazz."
-Jazz Weekly, Ken Waxman

"Wildly spontaneous... Fascinating..."
-Los Angeles Times, Don Heckman

Cosmologic - Staring at the Sun (2000/Circumvention)

Debut album by the (then) San Diego-based quartet.

Jason Robinson (tenor sax), Michael Dessen (trombone), Scott Walton (bass), Nathan Hubbard (percussion)

Listening examples (excerpts): Mountains and Waters (Dessen), Hell in Hat Yai (Robinson), Shrouded Over With Fog (Hubbard)

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Reviews:

"...this unit bumps and grinds from all sides... Long gone are the days when things West Coast were considered pallid in relation to anything East Coast, and for any of the doubters out there, here's the proof positive."
-Coda Magazine, Marc Chenard

"With motivated and talented young musicians of this calibre, there's no doubt that jazz can be a creative force. Long gone are the days when things West Coast were considered pallid in relation to anything East Coast, and for any of the doubters out there, here's the proof positive."
-Coda Magazine, Marc Chenard

"Intense peaks of clamorous excitement... Near-spiritual communication... The group dynamics of Cosmologic are in full effect, and the music is commanding. As a unit, these four musicians click."
-Cadence Magazine, Frank Rubilino

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