Perry Robinson

**Perry Robinson** (1938–2018) was a trailblazing jazz clarinetist known for his adventurous spirit and genre-blurring work in avant-garde and free jazz circles. The son of composer Earl Robinson, Perry carved his own path with a warm, fluid tone that felt equally at home in fiery improvisations and meditative collaborations. Over his six-decade career, he shared stages and recordings with icons like Archie Shepp, Charlie Haden, and Bill Dixon, while solo projects like *Funk Dumpling* (1962) and *Kundalini* (1978) showcased his knack for blending Eastern influences and psychedelic textures with jazz tradition. A lifelong explorer, Robinson’s later works—including the spiritually charged *Two Voices in the Desert* (2002)—proved he never lost his curiosity for sound. Whether leading a session or weaving his clarinet into collective improvisations, Perry remained a humble yet fearless voice in creative music.