J. Russell Robinson

J. Russel Robinson (b. Indianapolis, July 8, 1892 - d. Palmsdale, California, September 3, 1963) – Pianist, songwriter, and composer. A graduate of Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Robinson started out playing for silent movies and later went on the road with his brother, a drummer. They toured the Vaudeville circuit as the Robinson Brothers. He published his first piece in 1908 with “Dynamite Rag,” followed by the more successful “That Eccentric Rag” in 1912. He also co-wrote “Ole Miss Rag” with W.C. Handy in 1916. In the same year, he started making piano rolls for the QRS Company. In 1919, he joined the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (not long after ODJB made the world’s first jazz recording). He played with them until 1923 and co-wrote the three songs that he recorded with the group. Throughout his career, he wrote the music and lyrics for many popular songs, among them “Meet me at no special place.” In collaboration with lyricist Leo McElroy, he composed Mermaid Tavern, an off-Broadway musical that still gets performed in regional theaters.