Californian percussionist Gino Robair first played with John Butcher in a 1997 recording session at Myles Boisen's Oakland studio. Music from that day have been released on two Meniscus CDs - Music on Seven Occasions and Buddy Systems.

The next year they formed a trio with bassist Matthew Sperry (whom Butcher had met at the 1995 Company concerts in Vancouver). The trio recorded 12 Milagritos, and played the Vancouver Jazz Festival in 2001.
It was a great shock when Matthew was killed by a car whilst cycling in June 2003.
A site is dedicated to his memory.

Continuing as a duo, Robair and Butcher toured extensively releasing three duo CDs.

Various collaborations have since taken place, including with koto player Miya Masaoka, guitarist John Shiurba, trumpeter Liz Albee, guitarist Derek Bailey, synthist Thomas Lehn and audio-visual artist Bill Hsu.
Gino is a vital part of the 7-piece John Butcher Group.

In 2011 they formed The Apophonics with double bassist John Edwards. A CD from their concerts in the UK, Belgium and Austria is forthcoming.

Scrutables

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Recorded at Moat Studios, London, 2000.
Released 2011.

Derek Bailey
John Butcher
Gino Robair

New York City Jazz Review | The Watchful Ear | The Squid's Ear
all about jazz | Sunday Times | Point of Departure | Paris Transatlantic | freq

Apophenia

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Radio recording, KFJC, Los Altos Hills, California, 2009.

John Butcher: saxophones (with motors on 1 and 4).
Gino Robair: energised surfaces.

Watchful Ear | all about jazz | Sound Projector

Imagine slow-motion cement monkeys pushing in vain against the bars of their cages, steel bars that ring and vibrate in an endless corridor.   Sound Projector.

New Oakland Burr

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Studio recording, Oakland, California. 2001.

John Butcher: soprano and tenor saxophones, amplified/feedback or acoustic.
Gino Robair: ebow snare, cymbals, faux dax, motor, toy reed, styrofoam.

One Final Note | Dusted | allmusic

Guerrilla Mosaics

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Studio recording from Oakland, California: 2002

Robair/Butcher with Miya Masaoka - koto

Paris Transatlantic | allmusic

Liverpool (Bluecoat)
Concert

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Live at the Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool: 2000

Butcher / Robair duo

jazz weekly

12 Milagritos

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Studio recording from Oakland, California: 1998

Robair/Butcher with Matthew Sperry - double bass

twelve statements of exuberance given momentum by a subtle delicacy
actuellecd.

allmusic

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