February 21, 1951 – December 10, 2024

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Trumpeter Herb Robertson passed away on Dec. 10, 2024 at the age of 73.

He was born Feb. 21, 1951 in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Robertson was first interested in playing trumpet when he heard records by Al Hirt, Doc Severinsen and Herb Albert, soon graduating to Art Blakey and Horace Silver.

He developed a strong technique and a wide range on the trumpet, attended Berklee, hoped to someday play with big bands, and toured with fusion bands while still in college.

While working in the Catskills, he began playing free form duets with an older drummer during their off hours, and soon moved to New York where he became part of the avant-garde jazz scene.

Although he appears on a 1975 album with fellow Berklee students, his first real recording was with altoist Tim Berne in 1983 with whom he worked off and on for years.

In his career, Robertson recorded with many adventurous groups including sets led by Mark Helias, Michael Moore, Andy Laster, the New York Composers Orchestra, George Gruntz, Phil Haynes, Joe Fonda, Satoko Fujii, Lou Grassi, Barry Guy, and Steve Swell (in 2024).

He also led at least 18 albums of his own including an inventive exploration of Bud Powell songs (Shades Of Bud Powell) with his Brass Ensemble.

Herb Robertson is featured in a 2023 quartet with Tim Berne, electric bassist Gregg Belisle-Chi, and drummer Tom Rainey performing a complex ensemble-oriented piece.

-Scott Yanow

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