I'm a jazz guitarist, composer and recordist. I also taught jazz at the University Of The Pacific and Consumnes River College. I own a recording studios - Henry's Place a tracking facility out of my home. My band is The Henry Robinett Group, which has been in existence in one form or another since 1985. We released 5 CDs.  The latest, "I Have Known Mountains" is the 5th in the series but without the group. I also play with The Capital Jazz Project.  In addition I'm active in producing various artists across the stylistic spectrum. 

I've taken a lot of my inspiration from my late cousin,  jazz great Charles Mingus. I lived and studied with him briefly in the mid-late 70s.

On this site I will put things up, all unfinished works in progress, unless I indicate otherwise, to either show what I'm working on or to give an overview.  We're working on a couple of CDs.  There's a wide variety of material, so I don't know whether it will become two or three different CDs, straight ahead jazz, my more accessible material or what. Many of the pieces here I have no plans to release on a CD. But it's good to get some feedback or just a feel for what folks are listening to. 

On another note, as I'm sure there's enough music here to upset everybody. Part of the pleasure of being a guitarist who plays jazz is being exposed to a wide variety of music in the popular idiom.  And frankly I love all genres. Part of my uniqueness, if there is any,  is being willing and able to play at most styles.  I don't consider my more "accessible" elements selling out, because I really like them, and I still play everything in my own style, rather than trying to cop anyone else either compositionally or guitaristically. What's more what personally drives me crazy is the narrow minded, musical fascism; almost a form of musical bigotry, that an artist has to stay within the confines defined as X or that anything but X is invalid as an art form worthy of ones attention.  The timbre of guitar and music has changed over the years. I like to explore it all. 

I believe part of an artists responsibility to is write what he hears and play what he imagines, if he likes it, regardless of other peoples considerations or pressure, one way or the other. If I only did straight ahead jazz or only did funk or only rock, I'd be dishonest.

To download full versions of our songs, visit auralexperience.com.

Backyard Elves is a duo writing and production team featuring John Jarvis handling lyrical duties and Chapman Stick, and Dominic Guss on drums.  Also featured is Brett Neils on keyboards, Matt Niskern and Justin Lewis on guitars, and a variety of guest vocalists.  Sometimes referred to as part progressive rock, the music uniquely evokes deep imagery through its ethereal instrumental landscapes and interpretive, storytelling lyrics based on real-life events.

Northwest native vocalist and songwriter Carrie Clark and her band The Lonesome Lovers draw from the broad palettes of Americana, folk, and rock to craft their own distinct flavor of modern pop honkey-tonk. On their new LP Split At The Seams, their years of creative collaboration shine through as a warm, in-the-pocket confidence. On first listen you know these are folks who play together as one, ebbing and flowing together. Much like the Salish Sea which they call home, Split At The Seams is expansive, just a touch rugged, and undeniably beautiful. 

Photos by Ernie Sapiro

Christiane Spruit has been singing with bands since the 80's when she did over 150 gigs a year. Chris is currently singing with Blue Attitude where her unique vocals add a wonderful jazz dimension to the bands powerful blues roots.
Chris is a gifted pianist as well as a songwriter.

Steve Gleason started writing and singing in the early 70's when he was a young landscaper and performed his songs between band sets and in solo gigs as Len Scaper. Now, as Leonard Scaper, he writes and records in his home studio.

Skytouch / Random Sparks is following