James "Bat The Humming-Bird" Robinson born Algiers, Louisiana December 25, 1903, died St. Louis, MO March 2, 1957. His father, John Richard, was a pianist. He moved to Memphis where he was raised, learned piano and drums from his father as a youth, moved to Chicago about 1922, frequently worked with Bertha "Chippie" Hill, Eppie Moan, Elzadie Robinson and others in local club dates. Worked with Louis Armstrong att he Sunset Cafe. Moved to St. Louis about 1930, frequently worked outside music, with occasional touring with various medicine shows, early 30s into 50s; recorded Champion label, Richmond, IN 1931, occasionally worked with James Crutchfield in local club dates, St. Louis, 1955, (one of these dates was recorded and is newly released on Delmark's Biddle Street Barrelhousin' CD) and in Dollar Bill group in local club dates c 1957. Recorded for the Tone label in St. Louis. Died of tuberculosis and buried in the Oakdale Cemetery, Lemay, MO. "Bat the Humming-Bird" refers to his style of singing. Harry Oster adds that it is specifically his humming which can be heard on "Bat's Blues" on Folk Lyric LP 117. Not to be confused with Cow Cow Davenport who also used the pseudonym "Bar the Hummingbird. "He had a little trick of singing that set him apart, a falsetto "throat whistle" which his friends called "humming." Paul Oliver, Riverside album 8809. Robinson can be heard playing piano on Erwin Helfer's "Primitive Piano."
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