Three & Four

Carol Robbins

Jazzcats - JCTS-104

“The first time I heard Carol Robbins play the harp, I thought some record company might have lucked out and recorded an angel. I had to phone Robbins at her home in California to get a copy of her CD, since I could not locate it on the East Coast.

Although classically trained, Carol Robbins has become a very accomplished jazz artist, and her playing on Three & Four (so named because she works with trio and quartet) bears that out. Her primary companion on the disc, saxophonist Bob Sheppard, is the equal of any saxophonist these mature ears have ever heard. The pop and jazz standards could not have been handled with more understanding and tender loving care.

Get the disc and hear for yourself.”

– Bob Perkins’ Must Haves, Jazzpix (full review)

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.6 x 0.4 x 4.9 inches; 4 ounces

Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ CD Baby

Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2005

Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 5, 2006

Label ‏ : ‎ CD Baby

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00006RJV4

Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA

Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Tunes:

(30-second sample tracks)

Performers:

Carol Robbins - harp
Bob Sheppard - saxophone
Dave Stone - bass
Gordon Peeke - drums

About the Artist

Carol Robbins grew up in Los Angeles, where piano lessons at an early age inspired her to experiment with jazz improvisation. By age ten she was studying harp and eventually became one of the handful of students ever accepted by the late pioneering harpist Dorothy Ashby. One of the world's few jazz harpists, Ms. Robbins has recorded and performed with an eclectic variety of artists including Billy Childs, Linda Ronstadt, Teddy Edwards and Frank Sinatra. Her memorable television credits include Cheers, Frazier and The Tonight Show. Highlight appearances in 2004 included a live radio broadcast on KCRW with Australian singer Sia, a duo with Bea Arthur at the Hollywood Bowl in A Tribute to Peggy Lee, and an engagement as performer and instructor at the Lyon Healy International Harp Conference in Salt Lake City. Several of her jazz arrangements for harp have been published by Vanderbilt Editions, and her five independently-produced jazz CDs, Taylor Street, Moraga, Jazz Play, Three and Four, and Chords In Blue are available on cdbaby.com and amazon.com. She has been nominated for a Grammy as a member of Billy Childs' Jazz Chamber Ensemble for the groups' work on 'Lyric' in the catagory of best jazz instrumental album of 2005. In 2006 she will be performing in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York with Childs and with her own group.

Reviews:

Carol Robbins is a very accomplished jazz artist, and her playing on Three And Four bears that out.

— Bob Perkins WRTI Tempo Magazine

Jazz harpist Carol Robbins performs a dozen standards and her own ‘Qualcosa’ as straight-ahead jazz on this 1995 CD. Joined by bassist Dave Stone, drummer Gordon Peeke, and (on eight of the 13 songs) Bob Sheppard (on tenor, soprano, and bass clarinet), Robbins adds beauty and swing to such numbers as ‘Dolphin Dance,’ ‘I Hear a Rhapsody,’ ‘A Child Is Born,’ ‘Star Eyes,’ and ‘Alone Together.’

She proves to be a fine bop-based player despite the fact that improvising in a bop style on the harp (not the harmonica) is particularly difficult. It seems funny to speak of a harpist ‘swinging hard’ considering the sound of the heavenly instrument, but Carol Robbins manages that difficult feat throughout this impressive outing, holding her own with the few greats (Adele Girard and Dorothy Ashby among them) who have played that quiet but difficult instrument in jazz.

— Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

This uniquely talented jazz harpist has a “very special gift”. A MUST for lovers of fine jazz music, everywhere.

— online review Actress Eileen O’Neill

Top Amazon.com reviews from the United States

Paul Bogosian, DC
4.0 out of 5 stars — Jazz & the harp
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2014
A most unique instrument, the harp in the world of jazz. A pleasantly enjoyable listening experience. Carol Robbins uses great sidemen jazz players on board in this recording.

Dale A. Sorenson
*****5.0 out of 5 stars — Wonderful discovery
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2007
Chanced on this music at intermission at a jazz club. After obtaining the CD, I find I play it over and over continually. It is quite pleasant and relaxing, yet so engaging. Along with the wonderful harp, the great Bob Shepherd on winds offers his artistry to produce great listening throughout.

Had to give it five stars due to my frequency of playing it.

Amazon Customer

****4.0 out of 5 stars — Alone & Together with sax, bass, & drums
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016

Jazz, performed in a gentle and sensitive way . . . well recorded.
Waiting for more.

joe woods
***** 5.0 out of 5 stars Harp music at its best
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2005
This is a great recording for any one who enjoys the Harp.

I loved it and find myself playing it frequently.

"Qualcosa" written by Carol Robbins.
"Dolphin Dance" written by Herbie Hancock.
"Sometime Ago" written by Sergio Mihanovich.
"Weaver of Dreams" written by Victor Young.
"I Hear a Rhapsody" written by Fragos/Baker/Gasparre.
"Softly, as a Morning Sunrise" written by Sigmund Romberg.
"A Child Is Born" written by Thad Jones.
"Mojave" written by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
"Star Eyes" written by Gene De Paul, Don Raye.
"Never Let Me Go" written by Jay Livingston.
"Bag's Groove" written by Milt Jackson.
"Young and Foolish" written by Avert Hague.
"Alone Together" written by Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz.

Produced by Buddy Halligan.
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Bell Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA, by Buddy Halligan.
Photography by Roy Porello.
Graphic Design by Ellen Rundle.