Stephen Robillard Blues musician Date of Birth: 08.12.1952 Country: USA

Biography of Stephen Robillard

Stephen Robillard, a jazz musician, was born in Oakland, California in 1952. From a young age, he was drawn to music and began playing the alto and baritone saxophone. Eventually, he transitioned to the double bass. In the 1960s, he played bass in various groups such as 'Earthquake', 'Blue Sky', and 'The Gents'. He even had the opportunity to briefly join legendary jazz musician John Lee Hooker on a concert tour.

Robillard studied music theory and jazz composition at SteveLaney College under the guidance of Ed Kelley. In the mid-1970s, he moved to Massachusetts and completed his education at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, studying under Archie Shepp. During this time, he continued to play in bands of various musical styles, ranging from rock to blues. His bass could be heard in compositions by jazz collectives such as 'JazzOTree' and 'Smokehouse'. He collaborated with musicians such as Mark Herschler and Susan Torrey and was mentored by renowned local bluesman Ed Vadas.

Later, Robillard became one of the founding members of the group 'Blues In A Bottle' alongside guitarist and songwriter Larz Young. This collaboration lasted for five years. In 2008, he joined the well-known collective 'The Watershops Band', featuring Eva Cappelli and Joe Carvalho. Together, they worked on an album of original songs by Eva, with Larry Dulong and Sam Barnes joining the project. The collective developed a unique sound, and the work was completed quickly and effortlessly.

In addition to these projects, Stephen Robillard has been a part of numerous other musical endeavors. His bass can be heard in concerts by musicians such as Larry Graham, Rocco Prestia, Ray Brown, Jaco, Stanley Clarke, and many others. By dedicating himself to the blues, Robillard has made a name for himself among contemporary blues bassists. His talent and versatility have made him a sought-after musician in various projects and concerts.