Grammy award winning trombonist and music educator Robin Eubanks was born on October 25, 1955 in Philadelphia. He has been one of the more prominent jazz trombonists since he hit the scene in the early 1980s. Born into a musical family, Robin’s mother Vera is a pianist who holds a doctorate in music and was Kenny Barron’s first piano teacher. Robin’s brothers Kevin and Duane are also well-known professional musicians.

Robin Eubanks began studying music when he was 8 and a decade later matriculated at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He graduated cum laude when he had completed his studies in music theory, composition and trombone performance. After leaving school he moved to New York City and did studio work and played in the Saturday Night Live band. In addition, he was a member of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and played with Slide Hampton, Sun Ra and Stevie Wonder. Eubanks spent 15 years playing with bassist Dave Holland’s ensembles.

Fellow trombonist J.J. Johnson recommended Eubanks for a teaching position at Oberlin College in Ohio, and he spent two decades there as professor of Jazz Trombone and Jazz Composition. He has also taught at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music and is a frequent lecturer and clinician at jazz festivals. Robin has been associated with the M-Base movement along with artists like Steve Coleman and Geri Allen. Eubanks has released ten albums as a leader and has also worked as a sideman on records by B.B. King, Barbra Streisand, Joe Henderson and Elvin Jones.

Here is a link to Robin Eubanks performing at his alma mater in 2016:

"FULL CIRCLE"