Californian percussionist Gino Robair first played with John Butcher in a 1997 recording session at Myles Boisen's Oakland studio. Some pieces 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 driver, in June 2003. A site dedicated to his memory can be visited at: Matthew Sperry.

Continuing as a duo, Robair and Butcher have toured extensively, including the UK in 2000 - an undertaking with distinctive qualities - releasing the Liverpool concert from the trip.
Various collaborations have since taken place, including with koto player Miya Masaoka and guitarist John Shiurba - and Gino is a vital part of the 7-piece John Butcher Group.
The studio duo CD, New Oakland Burr focussed on extreme techniques, including close miked/feedback sax and Robair's work with electric motors, e-bow and polystyrene.

Recent concerts include the Berlin FMP Festival, London's Vortex, Amsterdam's Bimhuis, Wels' Music Unlimited, San Francisco and Sacremento.

Scrutables

order CD

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

Derek Bailey
John Butcher
Gino Robair

read: New York City Jazz Review :: The Watchful Ear :: The Squid's Ear

all about jazz :: Sunday Times :: Point of Departure :: Paris Transatlantic

Apophenia

order CD

On Rastascan.

Radio recording, KFJC, Los Altos Hills, California. 2009.
John Butcher: saxophones (with motors on 1 and 4).
Gino Robair: energised surfaces.

read: Watchful Ear :: allaboutjazz

New Oakland Burr

order CD

On Rastascan.

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.

read: One Final Note :: Dusted :: allmusic

Guerrilla Mosaics

Studio recording from Oakland, California: 2002
Robair/Butcher with Miya Masaoka - koto

full info: 482 Music

read: Paris Transatlantic :: allmusic

Liverpool (Bluecoat)
Concert

Butcher/Robair duo - Live at the Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool: 2000

full info: Limited Sedition

12 Milagritos

order CD

Studio recording from Oakland, California: 1998
Robair/Butcher with Matthew Sperry - double bass

twelve statements of exuberance given momentum by a subtle delicacy
actuellecd

full info: Spool

read: allmusic

---

TOP