Session Great
About
Paiste Artist Since
March 2006
Nationality
United States
Main Affiliation
Session Great
Website
www.johnjrrobinson.com
Setup
Videos & Pics
Biography
One of the most recorded drummers in history, John JR Robinson got his musical start in Creston, Iowa, where he was born in 1954. Both of JR’s parents wanted him to be involved in music, so at the age of 5 came the piano, drums at 8, and JR started his first band at the ripe old age of 10. JR credits his drumming chops to having great teachers early on. At 14 he began playing with the Iowa Big Band, that was located in SW Iowa near Creston. During his high school years he was both an athlete and a drummer - fortunately he picked the correct career choice. After graduation he emigrated to Boston and the Berklee School of Music, playing in both small groups and big bands. In 1978, John was hired for the drum chair in Rufus and moved to Los Angeles to finish the Rufus and Chaka Khan tour. In late 1978, JR was asked by Quincy Jones if he did any sessions outside Rufus. An immediate ‘yes’ found him in the studio recording "Off The Wall" for Michael Jackson. After that session, unlike many, JR created a career path. "I decided that I wouldn’t turn down any gig and set out a 15 year studio plan", he recalls. "Now, I’m in my 23rd year in the studios and still going strong, although because I’m so busy I do have to turn down some offers. Over the years I’ve gotten the big calls and worked with really great artists". Some of the hits for him are: "We Are The World", Lionel Richie’s "All Night Long", The Pointer Sisters’ "I’m So Excited" and "Slow Hand" and David Lee Roth’s "I’m Just a Gigolo" and "California Girls". Other artists that JR backed are Steve Winwood, Natalie Cole, and in 1983 he won a Grammy with Rufus and Chaka Khan for "Ain’t Nobody." JR has been the drummer for Quincy Jones since 1979 and Barbra Streisand since 1993. He also was the drummer for Peter Frampton’s live CD "Frampton Comes Alive 2". Even with his very busy schedule, JR has found time to teach a course in "Studio Techniques" at the Los Angeles Music Academy every other semester. He is currently working on his solo CD and producing several projects, and will continue to add his magic on many hits to come with his recognized sound of great time and a great groove. John JR Robinson, an Iowa, who has made the big time and been the drummer for most of the top artists in the very competitive musical world of the Los Angeles studios.
Setup Cymbals
-
Details
Sizes: 18", 19", 20", 21", 22", 24"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Light
Sound character: Warm, deep, brilliant, lush. Medium wide range, complex mix. Responsive, giving feel. Warm luscious crashes with swift fade. Airy, defined ping over wide multi-layered wash. Broad, musical, integrated bells. Multifunctional design to work well as both crashes and rides in medium low to loud settings.
- Sounds
-
Details
Sizes: 24"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Heavy
Sound character: Full, rich, powerful, energetic. Fairly wide range, fairly clean mix. Very controllable and responsive feel. A clean, glassy stick over a big, deep layered wash with a touch of darkness. This is a big cymbal for big beats. Developed in co-operation with session great John "JR" Robinson.
- Sounds
-
Details
Sizes: 14", 15"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Full, rich, energetic with a definite dark side. Crunchy, with a meaty bite. Very wide range, very complex mix. Extremely balanced, very responsive feel. Full dark, rich, shimmering, biting open/closed sound. Beautiful, fat, meaty, crisp, cutting chick sound. Fast, responsive, articulate with excellent feel and playability. An immensely versatile hi-hat that combines finesse and articulation with raw energy and cutting power.
- Sounds
-
Details
Sizes: 24"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Medium bright, full, energetic, sizzling, exotic. Wide range, complex mix. Giving, responsive feel. Strong, earthy ping with silvery highs over an energetic, exotic wash. Swelling to explosive, trash infused crash sound. Large cymbal with immense sound capacity and an extensive range of dynamics, being fully controllable at various volume levels. "This 24" Swish Ride is the perfect complementary ride to my setup. I use it directly to the right of my 24" Deep Ride. It has all the characteristics for today's music." - John "JR" Robinson
- Sounds
