Ikey Robinson

Isaac L. “Banjo Ikey” Robinson (July 28, 1904 – October 25, 1990) was a prolific banjo player that recorded with Clarence Williams’ Jug Band, Jabbo Smith’s Rhythm Aces, Richard M. Jones’ Jazz Wizards, Franky “Half Pint” Jaxon,  Alex Hill and his Orchestra, Birtha “Chippie” Hill, and his own bands.

Ikey was born in Dublin, Virginia, andbBy the age of 14 Ikey was already a professional singer and banjo player for several Virginia groups. In 1926 he moved to Chicago, where he played with Jelly Roll Morton and the Sammy Stewart Band.  In 1929 He made the fantastic recordings with Jabbo Smith and the Rhythm Aces (which according to Jabbo was Ikey’s band).

Ikey in 1979

Here is some info on Ikey Robinson from something called “weeniepedia” (?):

http://www.weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Banjo_Ikey_Robinson

I wish I could find more pictures of Ikey, but this is all I could find, which is suprising considering how prolific he was.

Advertisement