After several other instruments, Jeff Robinson settled on the bassoon at the age of 13.His school orchestra director, a bassoonist herself, was his first teacher. He later studied with Rufus Olivier, Principal Bassoonist of the San Francisco Opera, and then graduated from the studio of K. David Van Hoesen at the Eastman School of Music.

Robinson currently plays in the Houston Symphony, a position he earned in 1992, during the tenure of Christoph Eschenbach. As Acting Associate Principal Bassoon from 2003 to 2007, he played all positions in the section before returning to his regular duties as contrabassoonist. He also serves as Principal Bassoon in the ChautauquaSymphony Orchestra (2004-present). In 2004, on behalf of Robinson and his colleagueCynthia Meyers, the Houston Symphony commissioned Damian Montano’s Concerto forPiccolo and Contrabassoon, which was enthusiastically received.

A versatile musician accomplished on the bassoon, baroque bassoon, and contrabassoon, Robinson has performed the breadth of the orchestral and operatic repertoire as Principal Bassoon in the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra with guest appearances with the National Symphony, the Santa Fe Opera, Ars Lyrica Houston,Santa Fe Pro Musica, the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, and the Grand Tetons Festival Orchestra as well as in his work with the Houston Symphony. In addition to his orchestral work, Robinson is an ardent chamber musician. He performs with the Chautauqua Wind Quintet, the Greenbriar Consortium, and the Winds of Texas. Besides his frequent solo recitals, he has performed at the International Double ReedSociety convention, the Festival Institute at Round top, and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival.

Robinson is on the faculty of the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, theUniversity of St. Thomas, the Texas Music Festival, and the Chautauqua Institution. He is frequently invited to teach master classes and clinics throughout the U.S. Graduates of his studio include members of the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony, and faculty at Wichita State University and Tulane University.

Robinson and his partner Dr. Ellen A. Lumpkin, a scientist at Columbia UniversityCollege of Physicians & Surgeons, have recently relocated to New York City. He willcontinue teaching and performing as a chamber and orchestral musician throughout thecountry. Robinson’s recordings can be heard on the RCA, Telarc, Koch, and Gasparolabels.