https://www.phf.org.uk/artist/orphy-robinson/
Orphy Robinson (born 1960) is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist who has been a major force in contemporary jazz, improvised and classical music for over 40 years.
One of the few UK musicians to have been signed to the legendary jazz label Blue Note, he has performed or recorded with numerous internationally acclaimed artists across many genres of music. Robinson’s compositions combine multimedia, sound and spoken word using influences from across historic timelines, cultures, soundworlds and traditions.
His recent suites of work include “Don’t see colour, then you still don’t see us!” the In-8-Movements of a people. Each movement relates to particular figures from the African diaspora who were brought to the UK, either by force or for economic reasons. Robinson combines melodies and rhythms that underpin their stories with spoken word narrative and improvised textures of sound to create a unique soundtrack for each performance.
Robinson has contributed articles for various music magazines such as Wire Magazine and Jazzwise and has also presented guest radio programmes on BBC Radio 3, Jazz FM, Resonance FM, Worldwide FM and Solar Radio. Since 2016 he has presented a weekly show on Delite Radio.
Robinson is an active member of various industry boards, including the Ivors Academy where he is the Deputy Chair and Chair of the Jazz genre council, Trustee of the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance, Vice Chair of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra & Jazz Promotion Network, and Ambassador for the charity Music for All and The Jazz Centre UK.
I am seriously humbled and honoured to receive this prestigious award at such an important time in my own personal journey. This award endorsement has gifted me real quality time to instigate, develop and allows me the space to create some projects that I have always thought could only ever be realised with the freedom and opportunity that such an award would provide but never thinking I could be a recipient. I would also like to thank the nominators, Judges, the Paul Hamlyn foundation and the many friends, work colleagues and people who have encouraged, inspired and support my artistic dreams along the way.
Solo performance on Midi Malletstation with digital loops, pre-recorded soundscapes, live narration (Orphy Robinson). Duration 15-30 minutes in length depending on the live performance requirements (extract 1m 48s). Commissioned by the Bishopsgate Institute.
Solo performance on Midi Malletstation with digital loops, pre-recorded soundscapes, live narration (Orphy Robinson). Duration 15-30 minutes in length depending on the live performance requirements (extract 2m 34s). Commissioned by the Bishopsgate Institute.
Vibraphone, pre-recorded backing soundscape, digital FX, voices (Orphy Robinson). 5 minutes duration (extract 2m). Performed at the 2021 Arts Foundation Futures Awards commission.
Through the metaphor of butterfly metamorphosis, The Colour of Transformation shares new perspectives on nature inspired by the stories of Global Majority women pioneers working in conservation, natural history and the outdoors. Powerful testimonials and vibrant visuals, which is then responded to with experimental layers of music, movement and pattern, The Colour of Transformation invites audiences on a journey of personal change. It asks, what belief systems and narratives do we need to release in order to radically reimagine our relationship to nature? Commissioned by Bryony Benge Abbott. Voices Bumi Thomas, All music performed by Orphy Robinson (extract 2m).