He began on trombone in New Orleans, moved to Chicago in 1917, and in the following decade played with leading figures such as Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver.
[1] Robertson played in circus bands and traveling revues, including Kit Carson's Wild West Show.
[2] He was part of the Olympia Band around 1914 and was a trombonist for Manuel Perez, Richard M. Jones, and John Robichaux.
[1] Robertson's playing on these tracks consisted of "short notes in a sometimes percussive way [...with] some elements similar to Ory's phrasing, rhythmic sense, and voicing [...] though with less glissando".
[3] With the Levee Serenaders, another Morton-led band, Robertson recorded "Midnight Mama" and "Mr. Jelly Lord" in 1928.