MATTHEW ROBINSON
&
THE JELLY KINGS
With a voice that can go from sweet as a lover's lips to stripping paint off a MoPac freight train at 20 paces, combined with a no retreat no surrender guitar style there is no more authentic Texas blues man than Matthew Robinson

Matthew Robinson, has been recognized by the 2016 Living Blues Critics and Readers Poll Awards as 2016’s “Artist Deserving More Attention.” Robinson is in stellar company appearing alongside blues legends Buddy Guy, Otis Clay, Bobby Rush, and Allen Toussaint on the 2016 Critics Poll list.

Born and bred in segregated Texas, forced to pick cotton as a child, thrown out of his house at the point of a gun by his father at age 12, Matthew Robinson found safety singing in the St. James Baptist Church Choir in East Austin. In 1964 he started his first band as singer with The Mustangs, becoming popular on the Austin college campus circuit. The Mustangs released the first soul 45 ever recorded in Austin, “How do You Quit” b/w “Tender Loving Care.” Working behind the 45, the Mustangs were able to tour the U.S. opening for Johnny Winter, Jimmy Reed, James Brown, Big Mama Thorton and a host of others.

As the Mustangs eventually wound down, Matthew continued in his own right, releasing four albums on various labels including Austin blues specialists, Dialtone. With Dialtone, Robinson toured the world playing headline shows in Europe, South America, and Japan until health and family issues took Robinson off the radar.

In spring 2014 Robinson connected with singer-songwriter, producer, and harmonica player, Steve Power. Power brought in long time cohorts Pete “The Beat” Langhans (Mother Truckers) on drums, former Jonny Lang and Bernard Allison bassist, Jeff Hayes, and later, award winning guitarist Joe Lee King, creating Robinson’s backing band, The Jelly Kings.

In the fall of 2014 Matthew Robinson and The Jelly Kings recorded the critically acclaimed, “Work That Jelly”, for One Man and His Dog Records, won The Heart of Texas Blues Challenge in 2015, and Matthew Robinson was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Austin Blues Society. In January 2016 Matthew Robinson & The Jelly Kings were invited to play the newest incarnation of Antone’s in the first week of it’s opening. They have remained a regular fixture and part of the Antone’s family every since.