Few musicians in the world can say they’ve had great success as performing and recording artists. Even fewer can claim they’ve made an impact inspiring and training the next generation of musicians. Rafael “Raf” Robertson could do both.
Robertson, passed away on Thursday, December 3, at the age of 63 from myocardial infarction induced by bi-pulmonary pneumonia. He was an internationally recognized pianist, arranger, composer, producer and teacher with over 40 years of experience.
“As far as my career is concerned, I have been very fortunate…I got the experience of being on the cusp of the 1970s music revolution in London, and hearing songs of that time, like Sayamanda (by Andre Tanker),” Robertson said in an interview with the Trinidad Guardian. “If life is a journey, then part of success is knowing when to stay in your lane.”
As a Calypso Jazz artist, Robertson recorded four albums during his career, including Just Teasin’ (1989), Branches (1994—a tribute to Lord Kitchener), Universal Rhythm (2000) and Majesty (2011). He also taught at Birdsong Academy in Tunapuna, Trinidad.
Robertson’s son, Mylz Robertson, found success in his own right as a Grammy Award-winning keyboardist and musical director for singer, Adele.
He has performed all over the world with a variety of well-known artists including saxophonist Branford Marsalis, jazz-fusion saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. and world-renowned pannist, Andy Narell, the latter being a close friend of Robertson.
“Raf was one of the most intelligent, perceptive, poetic, and funny people I’ve ever known; a serious jazz musician and teacher, someone who made the daily commitment to being a positive presence in his world; a caring, generous, and humble person. He loved Calypso and had a deep understanding of the work of Lord Kitchener, which he shared with everyone,” Narell said. “He was an astute commentator on music and politics, and would have been on the radio and TV a lot more if he hadn’t been so outspoken and unpredictable. I remember him desperately trying to think of something to say after hearing a Panorama arrangement that he didn’t like at all. He came up with, ‘Well you know, eight minutes is a long time to play.’ I can’t begin to express how much I’ll miss him and I know a lot of people who feel the same.”
Raf Robertson is featured and interviewed on the television show, “Building the Beats”.
