SPIKE ROBINSON
THE SPIKE ROBINSON COLLECTION ON DISPLAY AT THE JAZZ CENTRE UK
Spike Robinson (Henry Berthold Robinson) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist (1930 - 2001) known for his performance of ballads and the American songbook. He moved to the UK by 1950 with the USA Navy as a musician and was soon playing on the Bebop scene with musicians such as Sir John Dankworth and Victor Feldman.
Since his passing in 2001, Susan May-Robinson has built incredible projects in his name including Spike's Place and the Spike Robinson Foundation.
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SPIKE ROBINSON HERITAGE COLLECTION
On display within our Heritage Centre are Spike Robinson's Tenor Saxophone, musical equipment, photographs, letters, articles, his music and even a 'Spike' branded beer. Within our cases, we have attempted to capture the highlight of his large music career with his key albums, performances and news headlines. His tenor saxophone can be seen across much of his photographed media and heard across many of his albums.
All heritage items were lovingly added to our display by Spike Robinson's widow Susan May-Robinson.
If you have any questions about Spike Robinson we invite you to visit us or send us an email and one of our volunteers will be happy to assist.
SPIKE'S PLACE
Impresario Susan May-Robinson has been running Jazz Clubs across Essex and Kent since the early-mid '80s, starting with Chelmsford Jazz Club. Today she promotes mainstream jazz across four jazz clubs (including The Jazz Centre UK!) under the name Spike's Place in memory of her late husband.
Spike's Place brings you the very best in live mainstream and modern jazz, from the best musicians on the UK and international circuit. To see the upcoming gigs for all Spike's Place clubs, please head over to their website www.spikesplace.co.uk/.
CELEBRATING SPIKE ROBINSON
As well as celebrating Spike Robinson's contributions to jazz through our heritage displays, we also hold events and concerts.
28th September 2019 internationally recognised saxophonists Derek Nash, Alan Barnes and Vasilis Xenopoulos performed an exhilarating concert titled Tenor Madness: 'Remembering The Music of Spike Robinson' on The Jazz Centre UK stage. Both Derek Nash and Alan Barnes had performed and recorded with Spike Robinson making for exceptional and personal performances.
The Spike Robinson Foundation funds and supports opportunities for young musicians via bursaries and course programmes. Friday 12th April 2019 we hosted The Spike Robinson Scholarship Concert featuring the 2019 intake of students on the programme.
