Now, besides being a talented, creative musical genius, Joe Robinson through his music inspires the human spirit. I first heard Joe playing his trumpet in a jazz club which he owned in the early eighties. I was mesmerized by such an immense talent. Joe Robinson more than held his own while playing with many of the legendary jazz greats that frequented his hot jazz spot which was the only jazz club in the "City of the Arts" as Winston-Salem often refers to itself.

A few years later, while serving as Producer and Artistic Directory of the NC Black Repertory Company, I had the distinct honor of working with Joe Robinson as he was the lead trumpet player for the "Black Rep Orchestra". After each performance, you could hear people buzzing, "Who was that trumpet player?". He made quite a name for himself.

When I became Producer and Artistic Director of the National Black Theatre Festival I needed a jazz band to entertain the likes of Denzel Washington, Harry Belafonte, Della Reese, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allen. The name Joe Robinson hurriedly flashed into my consciousness. Once again Joe Robinson’s name was buzzing off the lips of celebrities such as John Amos, Avery Brooks, Della Reese and Billy Dee Williams. The Joe Robinson Group has earned the envious position as official jazz band of the National Black Theatre Festival , serving over 50,000 people from around the world biennially.

Being a visionary, Joe can’t help but to be a dreamer, and that’s good for the world. In addition to dreaming of keeping jazz alive in the "Triad", which he has done for nearly 20 years, I recall some years ago, Joe Robinson sharing with his supporters, friends and colleagues, his dream of producing a project which would reveal his versatility as a jazz musician as well as a bluesman. After some time many dismissed the idea as just a dream, never to be realized, but Joe never gave up. Joe’s dream is now a reality with the release of his new CD.

Better Late Than Never, Joe’s personal musical gift to the world, conversates with the hard core jazz enthusiast as well as the hard core blues lover. It reaches out to the ears of the youth with some of its more funky arrangements. There’s something for everyone.

Brother Robinson has gathered some extremely versatile and talented musicians to help him bring his musical vision to the world with fresh, innovative and intriguing arrangements, highlighted by superb execution. After listening to Joe’s dream, I’m sure you will agree that it is a true "Marvtastic" eargasm!

From one visionary to another, all I can say is Better Late Than Never.