[1] Robinson learned to play trombone in high school.
In 1928, Robinson travelled to New York to play in Louis Armstrong's big band.
Robinson played on Louis Armstrong's Hot Five recordings and continued working with both Dickerson and Armstrong until late 1929 when he took a position in Edgar Hayes's band.
[2] In the 1930s, Robinson worked alongside Marion Hardy, Don Redman, Benny Carter, Charlie Turner, Fletcher Henderson, and Fats Waller.
Later in the 1940s, he played with George James, Cab Calloway, and Sy Oliver.