Herb Robertson

Free jazz trumpeter Herb Robertson combined a thorough command of traditional and extended techniques with a prodigious imagination. Robertson followed his own path, creating challenging, uncompromising music more accessible than one might think. After attending the Berklee School of Music from 1969 to 1972, he spent several years playing in various jazz and rock bands. In 1985, he recorded as a leader for the first time. Transparency featured Berne, guitarist Bill Frisell, bassist Lindsey Horner, and drummer Joey Baron; it was the first of five excellent albums Robertson would make for producer Stefan Winter's JMT label. As a sideman, he played with Anthony Davis, Bobby Previte, David Sanborn, George Gruntz, Bill Frisell, and Paul Motian, to name just a few. He also composed music for dance and theater. Robertson continued to record until his death in 2024.