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.
Robair | Butcher | Sperry
© brad winter - vancouver jazz fesival, 2001
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
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
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
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
Studio recording from Oakland, California: 2002
Robair/Butcher with Miya Masaoka - koto
Paris Transatlantic |
allmusic
Liverpool (Bluecoat)
Concert
Live at the Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool: 2000
Butcher / Robair duo
jazz weekly
12 Milagritos
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