July 28, 1904 – October 25, 1990
Isaac L. Robinson was born in Dublin, VA. Not much is documented about his early life, but it is known that he played banjo locally before he moved to Chicago in 1926 and became part of the beginning of the blues and jazz growth. He was versatile enough to play both genres. In the 1920s and 30s he played with Jelly Roll Morton, Clarence Williams, and Jabbo Smith.
Banjo Ikey also had several bands of his own, including Ikey Robinson and his Band, The Hokum Trio, The Windy City Five, and The Pods of Pepper. He played and recorded quite a bit during those years, but didn’t record anything after 1939. He continued playing with small bands during the 40s.
His 1929 recording of his song “Rock Me, Mama” with The Bull Fiddle Band is one of the first uses of the term “Rock Me” in music today.
After being “rediscovered” in the 1970s he toured Europe with Jabbo Smith, worked with Howard Armstrong in the 1985 documentary “Louie Bluie”, and toured with Ted Bogan during the late 1980s.
He passed away at the age of 86 in Chicago.
Rock Me Mama, Banjo Ikey Robinson and his Bull Fiddle Band