Photo by Rob Shanahan
www.regaltip.com
Photo by Rob Shanahan
Photo by Neal Burstyn
Photo by Neal Burstyn
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JR 2008 |
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JR 7.24.08 9pm |
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| JR plays drums on new Sprite Commercial: "Falling Away" by Human Worldwide. |
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| http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1latJ7K8zc |
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| FULL VERSION CAN BEVIEWED HERE: http://www.sprite.de/ |
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WATCH vintage JR recording and rehearsing "We Are The World"
with Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Stevuie Wonder! |
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LOTS of new JR Videos! |
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Including:
DVD VIDEO PREVIEW - Performances by Celine Dion & Josh Groban "The Prayer",
Yolanda Adams "I Believe I Can Fly", Enrique Iglesias "Hero". |
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May 2008: JR's kit for the Warner Bros. movie The Love Guru |
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JR at Yamaha Groove Allstars night -
Frankfurt Musikmesse 2008
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"JR Robinson (US) got to play (fittingly) one of his own classic tunes,
with Rufus and Chaka Khans ‘Once You Get Started’.
What more can you ask for? JR was obviously enjoying it
and so were the band. Brilliant."
http://www.mikedolbear.com/story.asp?StoryID=1547
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JR at RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL 4.26-27.2008: LAS VEGAS |
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VIDEO-RUFUS @ City of Lights Festival: Las Vegas -April 27, 2008 |
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JR at 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival!
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| Quincy Jones' 75th Anniversary Celebration |
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| Lee Ritenour, John Robinson, and Nathan East-7.2008 |
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| JR & Q-7.2008 |
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The Usual Suspects:
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Dr. Gio Washington-Wright's Top Los Angeles Studio Musicians Tribute Site-
This site is dedicated to the Los Angeles studio musicians who work in anonymity
everyday to bring us the beautiful music that we hear on our favorite CDs, in movies,
and on television. These people are my heroes. I call them "The Usual Suspects"
because they show up in the liner notes to recordings over and over again. What
follows is a list of the most recorded musicians in the history of music.
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JR & Hidano 2.16.08 |
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JR 2.16.08 |
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JR 2.16.08 |
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Listen to JR on MUSICAST 2.8.2008- |
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Over the years there have been a handful of drummers that have reached the ultimate plateau
of first call rhythm makers who are called on to deliver the best grooves for the greatest producers
and artists. If you’re thinking of a few, mostly likely John Robinson is on the list. From Michael
Jackson’s 'Off The Wall' to Quincy Jones’ 'The Dude'; from Smokey Robinson’s 'One Heartbeat' to
Anita Baker’s 'Rapture'; from Joe Sample’s 'Spellbound' to Ricky Lee Jone’s 'Flying Cowboys',
you’ll find his uniquely experienced groove added to each hit. Because of his ability to deliver
the right feel for the right project, he has been one of Quincy Jones’ go-to drummers since 1979,
and also Barbra Streisand’s since 1993. He’s been pegged as one of the most recorded drummers
in history, and a look at his discography will leave you convinced. As a global drummer, J.R.
Robinson is leaving his mark not only in the U.S., but also internationally.
Inside MusiCast is pleased to welcome John 'JR' Robinson. |
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John and friends partying at the Remo 50th, 2008! |
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RHYTHM OF LIFE CD:
Superstars CARLOS SANTANA and PRINCE head up this amazing charity album, featuring some of the greatest
drummers and percussionists in the history of music:
JOHN JR ROBINSON, BUDDY RICH, SHEILA E, VINNIE COLAIUTA, TONY BRAUNAGEL, MIKE SIMPSON, TONY WILLIAMS, XAVIER MARSHALL, DENNIS CHAMBERS, RAUL REKOW, KARL PERAZZO, LUIS CONTE, GARY FERGUSON, EFRAIN TORO, ALEX ACUNA, DOANE PERRY, ALPHONSE MOUZON. The album also features music icons: JIMI HENDRIX, HERBIE HANCOCK, THE QUINCY JONES BAND, MARINO,
LES McCANN, DAVE KOZ, CLARENCE CLEMONS and more!
www.myspace.com/rhythmoflifecd |
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| JANUARY 2008: HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
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| • CHECK OUT THE NEW STARS PHOTO PAGE! CLICK HERE! |
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• JR recently performed with Kelly Clarkson, Carlos Santana, Hall & Oats
0and completed clinics for Yamaha & Paiste. |
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| • Rufus reunion |
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| • European tour with Barbra Streisand |
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| • Check out the PRODUCTS page to see the new JR birch/maple Signature Snare drum! |
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| • Tribute to Quincy Jones Concert |
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| • Yamaha/Paiste Drum Clinic |
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• Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children/Las Vegas:
The 13th annual Grand Slam for Children takes place in 2008
The 12th annual Grand Slam for Children, presented by Genworth Financial, will be held
October 6, 2007, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The annual event, which benefits the
Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, is the biggest entertainment night of the year in Las Vegas.
Scheduled to appear:
Tony Bennett
Kelly Clarkson
Hall & Oates
Matchbox Twenty
Carlos Santana
George Wallace
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Special Performance by Jerry Seinfeld
For more information:
Please call (702) 227-5700, or email info@agassi.net
www.agassifoundation.org
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| To all from John Robinson: |
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Again it's been almost a year since my last update. My son, Jack just turned five and it's been awhile since John and Chris were five - this is a full-time job! Jack just received his orange belt in Karate and attended his first tournament at UC Irvine. I have been extremely busy and here are some of the gigs I have been involved with.
On the record side I was reunited with David Benoit and the boys recording a great jazz CD called, "Full Circle". I was honored to record with fellow Iowan, Andy Williams. Some other artists include Marc Antonio Solis, Bill Medley, a new artist on Concord named Jimmy Demers which also reunited my old John Fogerty band from 1986, Neil Stubenhaus on bass and Alan Pasqua on keyboards. From the TV show INXS, Mig Iyesa's new CD will be a hit. I have recorded with Luis Miguel since he was 15. I just finished his new Christmas CD, which featured arrangements by Juan Carlos Calderon. Also, I'm in a blues band called M7 Blue Lifers produced by Mike Post. This band is a dream of Mikes to assemble the greatest blues artists to make a CD. We did and it's a mother! It features Mike Finnegan, Keb Mo, Sonny Landreth, Snuffy Walden, Amy Keys, David Morgan and Stanley Barons. Bob Glaub and myself held them down. I also recorded a live AOL concert for Cheyenne.
Some of the new motion pictures I played on are RV, Garfield 2, School For Scoundrels Talladega Nights [The Ballad of Ricky Bobby] and the biggest, Pirates of the Caribbean [Dead Man's Chest]. Another great Yamaha Groove night passed in January with everyone contributing
at the highest level.
I recorded a world jingle for Sprite that was used during the NBA finals. We had a very successful concert for Muhammad Ali and his concert to cure Parkinson's disease. Also, I just finished the
Grammy Foundation concert, which gives the youth opportunities for musical advancement and growth. I played for the David Foster Foundation in Vancouver, which helps families in need of
organ transplants. And finally, the JC Penney Jam, which will air on CBS in HD on 8/22.
This concert features the greatest players in the world.
The Herbie Hancock CD and DVD, "Possibilities" got a Grammy nomination and the song "Love Comes To Town" featured Joss Stone and Johnny Lang. And the Burt Bacharach CD,
"At This Time", won the Grammy!
I had the greatest pleasure of working one on one with the great John Williams. I played drums on his brand new NFL themes for NBC, which airs on 8/6/06. This music was very intense. I used a lot of double-pedal action. John Williams should be the fifth person on Mount Rushmore!
Mark Williamson, Michael Thompson and I have been mixing with the great Bill Schnee and Darius Fong our new CD for TRW. We are almost done! This CD is pure rock and roll.
And finally, I will be touring this fall with the great Barbra Streisand in 18 cities. Until next time…
8/06
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Here's what I've been doing lately.
Again, it's been awhile since my last update. Next week I will get inducted into the Iowa Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame in Okoboji, Iowa. This award means a lot to me because of my roots in Iowa. I
have assembled a great band with their roots from Iowa also. Denny Gutenkauf on guitar, Dan Gutenkauf on bass, Scott Sidney on keyboards, Ed Kelly on vocals, Gary King on tenor sax and
Shay Beninato on percussion. We are one of eight bands to perform at the Roof Garden
on September 4th.
I've been recording this year with a very wide variety of performers. The newest CD out is by Aly & AJ on Hollywood Records. These two young sisters are connected with Disney TV. I did 7 songs and the girls write all of their own music - very good! I also finished the Burt Bacharach CD. 3 songs were produced by Dr. Dre. This CD is going to turn some heads! I recorded 2 songs for Alice Cooper produced by Steve Lindsey. In March for the Muhammad Ali Event I had the pleasure of playing live with Alice Cooper - "School’s Out" - a high dream come true. This week the new Herbie Hancock CD will be out. I'm on one song featuring Joss Stone and Johnny Lang - very funky. One of my favorites this year was to record with the great Meryl Haggard. This CD is about to come out and it features many songs from his life. It was produced by legendary producer Jimmy Bolin. Chaka Khan and I have reunited after 2 years for David Benoit's Christmas CD on Peak Records. This was an all jazz trio with David and Dave Carpenter. I have an upcoming clinic at Tom Lee Music in Vancouver on September 8th and a David Foster Benefit Concert featuring Celine Dion in Vancouver on September 10th. I then travel back to my hometown of Creston, Iowa to be inducted again into the Creston High School Hall of Fame. WOW! Two hall of fame inductions in the same month! In October I travel to Las Vegas for the 10th annual Andre Agassi Foundation concert at the MGM Grand Garden. Following that I do a Barbra Streisand Concert in Malibu. Until next time
Iowa Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Induction [September 4 @ The Roof Garden, Okoboji, Iowa]
Release of CD, "Funkshui"
New CD's:
1. Los Temenarios
2. Burt Bacharach produced by Dr. Dre
3. Alice Cooper
4. Aly & AJ
5. Herbie Hancock
6. Meryl Haggard
7. David Benoit featuring Chaka Khan and Toni Braxton
8. Shayanne
New Films:
1. XXX 2
2. Fever Pitch
3. The Perfect Man
4. Rumor Has It
5. Starsky & Hutch
6. Dodgeball
7. Must Love Dogs Live
Events:
1. Muhammad Ali Benefit for Parkinson's
2. Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Children [October 1 @ MGM Grand, Las Vegas]
3. David Foster Charity 4. Barbara Streisand Live [September 9]
Future:
1.TRW [Michael Thompson, John Robinson, Mark Williamson]
2. JR 2nd solo CD
8/05
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It has been awhile seen my last update but there are reasons...
After, over a year, I finished my very first solo CD, "Funkshui" pronounced "FUNKSHUWAY". This
title came to me because of my wife Debbie and her friend Evelyn's artistic concept of Fengshui.
This CD is very eclectic and has something for everyone including "Tellin Lies" [Cold As Ice] which
is a rewrite of Foreigner's "Cold As Ice" to "Hair Of The Dog" which is a driving horn-based funk tune using altered scales featuring Brandon Fields, Gary Grant, John Beasley and Paul Jackson, Jr. I've selected some of the greatest musician's in the world to contribute to this recording. On "Tellin Lies", Mark Williamson [who I was a partner with on CBS in 1989-1990 for "Bridge 2 Far"], arranged over
60 tracks of vocals including the main lead vocal. I sang the chorus hook. My son Chris rapped the verses. Michael Thompson. Lee Sklar and myself [on keys] complete the rhythm section. I've written
9 songs on this CD and each one has a piece of my heart in each one. My other son John raps on Good Ole Times. Jeff Lorber and I co-wrote "Cool TV" which features Jeff on Wurly. "Sister Sadie"
is a Horace Silver song I always loved and Dan Higgins arranged an incredible version of it featuring Dan and Gary Grant. "Sierra" is a lighter jazz song in "3" using my Yamaha Birch Absolute BeBop kit and the beautiful K Constantinople Rides. I also wrote "Lullaby For Jack" which is a beautiful ballad sung by Robbie Wyckoff for my little son Jack. Then I co-wrote "Reshuffle" with Ross Bolton who is the guitar player for Al Jarreau. This song features Ross, Neil Stubenhaus and Dave Boruff on sax.
I'm playing alot of keyboards on this CD. I started playing piano at age 5 and always had a
desire to play. Most of my writing starts with piano.
It was sad when Ray Charles passed recently. I had the opportunity to play on "Sorry Seem To
Be The Hardest" with Elton John. I am glad to see that CD doing so well. I’m on the single,
"California Dreamin" by Queen Latifa. I've just completed Ali and AJ for Hollywood Records,
two young and extremely gifted artists. I had the pleasure of recording with Michael Kleitman,
a classical singer for Europe.
We did another benefit [year 9] for the André Agassi Foundation. It featured John Mayer, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and India Arie. We will be doing year 10 on October 1st at the MGM in Las Vegas.
So after finishing "Starsky & Hutch" I played on "Dodgeball", "Mr. 3000", "Garfield", "Raising Helen", "Ladder 49", "Collateral" and "Team America".
And lastly a prayer for my sister Judy. The best on your upcoming surgery and "KICK IT'S ASS!"
‘til next time...
11/04
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Again, it's been awhile since my last update...
I've been very busy with several motion pictures. I've just finished Raising Helen, Starsky & Hutch,
Mr. 3000, Garfield, Ladder 49, 13 Going On 30, Dodgeball and Collateral. Some of the most recent CD’s are Queen Latifah, Ray Charles, Lillian Garcia [of WWE fame], Yazawa and Michael Kleitman. The most recent live gigs include Magic Johnson's NBA Allstar Concert, Mohammed Ali's Benefit for Parkinson's, McDonald's Benefit for Ronald McDonald House and John Travolta's 50th Birthday party.
I have an upcoming concert with Barbra Streisand and Willie Nelson. I am putting the finishing touches on my first solo CD. It will be available around August 1st through this web site. Don't
forget to sign up and I will notify everyone when we will ship.
Until next time...
6/04
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It's been awhile since I've last updated - it's been a busy quarter.
I had the pleasure of being a part of the Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Children benefit for the 8th year. It was the best of all so far. We played with Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachland, Renee Olstead, Tears For Fears, Billy Joel and of course Elton John. This was a tribute to Sir Elton. Again, this David Foster band features Dean Parks and Michael Thompson on guitars, Greg Phillinganes and David on keys, Nathan East on bass, Dave Boruff on sax and Johnny. I started my Yamaha Drum clinic tour at Community College of Southern Nevada and then flew to Opole, Poland. It was my first time in Poland and it was great. From there I drove to Bratislava, Slovakia and then I drove all the way to Gmunden, Austria. There I got to witness the aerobics of Thomas Lang. Then on to Cardiff, Wales, where I played at the Coal Exchange. It was one of my favorites on this clinic tour. Then on to Wembley Drum Center and then to Brighton School. After the UK I flew to Copenhagen and drove to Aahbus, Denmark. Then up to Stockholm, Sweden [another great one]. Then to Borlange, Sweden. From there we drove to Oslo, Norway [stunning]. From Oslo I flew back to Copenhagen then down to Milano, Italy... is just beautiful! The first clinic was in Montebelluna, the second in Firenza and the
last was in Napoli. Great people, great food and great wine!
After Europe, off to Chicago to do a McDonald's benefit and then to Mexico City to do Yamaha Groove Night, Mexico. Then to NYC to do a week with Carole Bayer Sager.
Once back in LA I recorded three movies, Along Came Polly, Starsky and Hutch and Ladder 49.
I've also been programming for Ladder 49.
I just recently returned from Cabo San Lucas where I was the drummer for John Travolta's 50th birthday party. Wow! I played with Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, this new sensation - 6 year old
Jamia Nash, Michael McDonald, Patti Austin, Carly Simon, Robin Gibb, Bebe Winans and Gerald, Margaret and Eddie Lavert. Plus there was a duet with Tony Bennett. I want to be like John
when I'm 50!
Anyway, I'm off to Magic Johnson's NBA party this week to play and play and play...
2/04
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Well the new Stanley Clarke CD is out and I'm playing on two of the songs. One is called "Hair" and as always with Stanley, very funky! I just finished two songs with Dave Koz. This CD was produced by my longtime friend Jeff Lorber. In the rhythm section was bandmate Tony Maiden on guitar, Alex Al on bass and of course Jeff on keys. I've done several Dave Koz records and this one could be the best. I also just finished a new motion picture called "Hollywood Homicide" starring Harrison Ford. The composer was Alex Wurman. It was some of the most difficult reading I've ever experienced. Forthcoming will be a six page drum chart from that movie. On bass with me on the film was the great Lee Sklar. And finally, I flew back to Nashville to record four more songs for the upcoming Wynonna CD. This CD should be awesome.
'til next time...
06/03
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This is the start of the "latest news" section of my web page. As always, I've been chasing a 21 month around the house which keeps me quite busy. Jack shows unbelievable signs of musical genius yet I don’t want to push him too fast.
I just returned from Nashville where I completed Wynonna's new CD which will be on Curb Records.
It's produced by longtime friend and fellow rhythm section member Dann Huff. Dann and I probably played on over 50 albums in the 80's together. While I was there I also played on three songs for Carolyn Dawn Johnson on Arista Records.
This recent weekend I just played a benefit with the David Foster Band for CapCure at the Bellagio
in Las Vegas. CapCure is an organization to help find a cure for prostate cancer. One of the artists
that played with us was Josh Groban whose CD has now sold over 6 million units. I was honored to have played drums on Josh's PBS TV special. The highlight of the weekend was that I was asked to play in the celebrity golf tournament. It was held at Shadow Creek Golf Club as a fund raiser for prostate cancer. I was paired up with Al Michaels [from ABC Monday Night Football] and Mark Brenneman [the head pro at Shadow Creek]. Al and I were extremely fortunate that we had a
"ringer" in our group! We took fourth place. Not bad for this rookie golfer!
This week I start a new CD with Luis Miguel for Warner Brothers International. This will be the sixth album I have done with Luis. He’s a very gifted and talented singer. This CD will feature Nathan
East on bass and Robbie Buchanan on keys.
Next week I travel to Memphis to do a benefit for St. Judes Children’s Hospital. This again will be
with the David Foster All Star Band which includes Dean Parks [Steely Dan], Greg Phillinganes
[Stevie Wonder] and Nathan East [Eric Clapton].
'Til next time...
04/03
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| Photo by Rob Shanahan |
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