Zue (C. Alvin) Robertson (March 7, 1891 – 1943) was an American early

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

musician. He began on trombone in New Orleans, moved to Chicago in 1917, and in the following decade played with leading figures such as

Jelly Roll Morton Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe (later Morton; c. September 20, 1890 – July 10, 1941), known professionally as Jelly Roll Morton, was an American ragtime and jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer. Morton was jazz's first arranger, proving that a gen ...

and

King Oliver Joseph Nathan "King" Oliver (December 19, 1881 – April 8/10, 1938) was an American jazz cornet player and bandleader. He was particularly recognized for his playing style and his pioneering use of Mute (music), mutes in jazz. Also a notable c ...

. Robertson switched to piano and organ after moving to New York in 1929, then added bass in the 1930s while living in California.

Early life

Robertson was born in New Orleans on March 7, 1891. His first instrument was the piano, and he began playing the trombone at the age of 13.

Later life and career

Robertson played in circus bands and traveling revues, including

Kit Carson Christopher Houston Carson (December 24, 1809 – May 23, 1868) was an American frontiersman. He was a fur trapper, wilderness guide, Indian agent, and U.S. Army officer. He became a frontier legend in his own lifetime by biographies and n ...

's Wild West Show. He was part of the Olympia Band around 1914 and was a trombonist for Manuel Perez, Richard M. Jones, and John Robichaux. Robertson was an early influence on

Kid Ory Edward "Kid" Ory (December 25, 1886 – January 23, 1973) was an American jazz composer, trombonist and bandleader. One of the early users of the glissando technique, he helped establish it as a central element of New Orleans jazz. He was ...

– Robertson gave him lessons, and the two practised together. After moving to Chicago in 1917 he played at the De Luxe Café, and "by the mid-1920s he was playing with leaders of the stature of

, with whom he recorded 'Some Day Sweetheart/London Blues' (1923, OK 8105), and

(1924)". Robertson's playing on these tracks consisted of "short notes in a sometimes percussive way ..withsome elements similar to Ory's phrasing, rhythmic sense, and voicing ..though with less glissando". With the Levee Serenaders, another Morton-led band, Robertson recorded "Midnight Mama" and "Mr. Jelly Lord" in 1928. These two sides, plus the two from 1923, are his only recordings. After moving to New York in 1929, Robertson concentrated on playing the organ and the piano, and stopped playing the trombone the following year. A few years later he moved to California, where he played piano and bass during the 1930s. He died in Los Angeles in 1943. His life "was barely documented and stories about his talents have to remain unverified".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Zue Dixieland jazz musicians Jazz musicians from New Orleans American jazz trombonists Male trombonists 1891 births 1943 deaths 20th-century trombonists 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Olympia Orchestra members