(Frank Isaac Robinson )
(6CD)
BIOGRAPHY
Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan. At an early age he showed unusual
gifts singing the blues and accompanying himself on the piano. According
to contemporary newsreels, he was self-taught and managed to use
techniques including slapping the keys with elbows and fists.
He won a talent show at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit at the age of
three, and in 1945 played guest spots at the theatre with Lionel Hampton,
who was prevented by child protection legislation from taking Robinson on
tour with him. However, Robinson performed on radio with Hampton and Harry
"The Hipster" Gibson, and also appeared as himself in the Hollywood film
No Leave, No Love, starring Van Johnson and Keenan Wynn.
In 1946, he played for President Harry S. Truman at the White House
Correspondents' Association Dinner, shouting out "How'm I Doin', Mr.
President?" – which became his catchphrase – during his performance of
"Caldonia". He was the first African American performer to appear at the
annual WHCA dinner.
He began touring major theaters, setting box office records in Detroit
and California. In 1949 he was given special permission to join the
American Federation of Musicians and record his first releases on
Capitol Records, "Numbers Boogie" and "Caldonia", both reaching the
Billboard R&B chart. In 1950, he toured and appeared on television
with Count Basie and in a short film 'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie
Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet. The following year, he toured the
UK, appearing at the London Palladium. He stopped recording in 1952,
later explaining....
(Wikipedia)