SUGAR CHILE ROBINSON 3-YEAR-OLD WONDER OF THE MUSICAL WORLD PIANO PRODIGY 42714

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This vintage newsreel tells the incredible story of Sugar "Chile" Robinson, who was a child prodigy on the piano and one of the musical sensations of the 1940s. Frank Isaac Robinson was born in December of 1938 in Detroit, and at an early age showed unusual gifts singing the blues and accompanying himself on the piano. According to this newsreel, he was self-taught and as you can see, he managed to use techniques including slapping the keys with elbows and fists. In this newsreel he's age 7 and called a "musical genius" by the narrator.
Robinson came to prominence when he won a talent show at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit at the age of three, and in 1945 played guest spots at the theatre with Lionel Hampton, who was prevented by child protection legislation from taking Robinson on tour with him. However, Robinson performed on radio with Hampton and Harry "The Hipster" Gibson, and also appeared as himself in the Hollywood film No Leave, No Love, starring Van Johnson and Keenan Wynn. In 1946, he played for President Harry S. Truman at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, shouting out "How'm I Doin', Mr. President?" - which became his catchphrase - during his performance of "Caldonia". He was the first African American performer to appear at the annual WHCA dinner. He began touring major theaters, setting box office records in Detroit and California. In 1949 he was given special permission to join the American Federation of Musicians and record his first releases on Capitol Records, "Numbers Boogie" and "Caldonia", both reaching the Billboard R&B chart. In 1950, he toured and appeared on television with Count Basieand in a short film 'Sugar Chile' Robinson, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and His Sextet. The following year, he toured the UK, appearing at the London Palladium. He stopped recording in 1952, later explaining:
"I wanted to go to school... I wanted some school background in me and I asked my Dad if I could stop, and I went to school because I honestly wanted my college diploma."
Until 1956 he continued to make occasional appearances as a jazz musician, billed as Frank Robinson, and performed on one occasion with Gerry Mulligan, but then gave up his musical career entirely. Continuing his academic studies, he earned a degree in history from Olivet College and one in psychology from the Detroit Institute of Technology. In the 1960s, he worked for WGPR-TV, and also helped set up small record labels in Detroit and opened a recording studio.
In recent years Robinson has made a comeback as a musician with the help of the American Music Research Foundation. In 2002, he appeared at a special concert celebrating Detroit music, and in 2007 he traveled to Britain to appear at a rock and roll weekend festival. In the last Dr Boogie show of 2013, Sugar Chile Robinson was the featured artist, with four of his classic hits showcasing amid biographical sketches of his early career. On April 30, 2016, he attended the White House Correspondents' Dinner on the 70th anniversary of his appearance at the 1946 dinner. He met President Obama and was saluted during the dinner, receiving a standing ovation as the picture of him as a child appeared on the video screens.
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...

[@debbiebrown4420]

Not only was he an extremely talented little musician, but he also had the cutest little smile.

[@JubeProductions]

THis is proof that you are born with musical talent. That kid didn't learn how to do that, he just did what he felt. He felt that shit and it flowed out of him. I could practice 100 years and not even play half that good. Pure talent.

[@SnoopCatts]

That's not exactly true... He literally taught himself how to play the piano and to understand and interpret music. When you say someone has talent, especially the way you're describing, it discounts the hard work in the diligence in the natural interpretive skills that one has between instrument and body.

[@jaywilliams355]

Man that boy had soul I'm telling you I'm telling you!

[@sandrabrewer6893]

He is the greatest!!!

[@JubeProductions]

I love the way he plays! He keeps time with his feet and head. ANd he slaps the keys and uses his elbow. I don't even know how he plays some of those chords because his hands are so small they don't reach,

[@ladybirdmclean0987]

I share your feelings exactly... I only found out about him March 30.2020. I was stunned by this Enchanting God Blessed Being ...AMAZING he still is

[@janycebouchard9880]

Such an amazing natural talent..the depth of understanding for the tempo of his music ..natural rythem..and enjoyment of the words in each song is spellbinding..❣️🎶💯❣️🎶

[@ajiekstoneman5445]

Wow, he is a real prodigy

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

Awesomely talented and utterly charming young man!!

[@reignrobinson7951]

Young man??!!! He's just a few years shy of a toddler!!!!!😆

[@DUCKDUCKGOISMUCHBETTER]

@@reignrobinson7951 It's just an expression. It covers the age he was at, at this point in time.

[@alyssajones4368]

Absolute pure talent. Like Michael Jackson

[@SnoopCatts]

He doesn't ever look at the piano!!!😳😳😳😳🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@valerieburton9784]

Little genius

[@maryroy9287]

c'est l'enfant prodige,artiste inné je suis subjuguée par son aisance au piano , ce petit bonhomme plein d'entrain and LOVE ,you are amazing little boy !!!!!

[@LMae-rj9qi]

Genius!

[@elsiemckenzie2572]

The wonder of Creation. His brain is probably no different of that of anyone else.... but his soul has to be closer to God

[@ronnieharsh1556]

Yep JESUS LAID A TALENT UPON THAT YOUNG MAN.

[@pouglwaw5932]

Well said ! That blessed, young soul could just reach out and capture hearts.

[@MrDowntownLA]

Wise, beyond his years. The story of his invitation to the White House Correspondence Dinner 70 years after President Harry S. Truman invite in 1945 is worthy of telling. TK

[@areruben10]

Beautiful!

[@ryanjohnson9363]

Lol I love that lol guy I wish I knew him then hahaha somebody's dome changed that lock on my doow' haha so soulful

[@lilibertnyasunu3564]

Black child prodigy. I hope he made it big.

[@screeech1]

Prodigy!!!!!

[@pattymoore-sl6fv]

I love this guy😊 too bad there aren't any recordings around are there?

[@LovingAtlanta]

👍Talented

[@kaylaallison5471]

This is so fascinating!!😊

[@wallereportersurcheminsdet1951]

Il est trop bon

[@bobjones927]

WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPEN TO HIM, disappears until a old man, don't seem right

[@ThordunnHeat]

I heard he worked as a psychologist for many years

[@kevinpalmer9756]

he seemingly "retired" on his own in the 50s to pursue a college diploma. Only made sporadic appearances on music shows ever since...

[@severoque8802]

@Bob Jones , me too as soon i saw the video i wanted to know what he became.... such a genious. ... cant beleive it. 🙏💞💞

[@severoque8802]

@@ThordunnHeat really?

[@wendelsantos4672]

Meu deus!!!

[@tudngalgix]

He is such a ladies man!

[@reignrobinson7951]

Why is everyone referring to this child as a man!!?????😆

[@jeraldford3494]

God blessed him with talent got to give up to him 7 years old a genius 👏👏

[@kirstenrobinson4630]

That's my uncle seriously

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Your uncle is superbly talented.

[@thewilliamsgang14]

Kirsten Robinson dan hicks tangled tales

[@PianoTipping]

He's amazing. Does he still play?

[@jakariab1223]

Kirsten Robinson can I meet him plz

[@luchof8364]

Kirsten Robinson how went his life in the future?

[@pertrygvestevikjohnsen7146]

What's the use lying about the age? In this film he's 7. Still he started his career in a talent competition at 3, so he must have been something already at 2 - 3. By all means, 7 is early enough, in particular when you've already been a guest star with Lionel Hampton. He also played with the Count Basie band at 10.

[@bonniemoore3461]

THE CHILDREN IS 7 YEARS OLD IN THIS FILM HE SAYS SO!

[@bonniemoore3461]

+Bonnie Moore THE CHILD EXCUSE ME.

[@piijay14]

Artist are born not made!

[@jfitnesshealth]

cute

[@thewilliamsgang14]

Dan hicks tangled tales

[@AlexDuarteMusico]

I'll be 60 and I won't play the piano like that.

[@andrewilliams2801]

You gettin this Aye?

[@reneesmith3953]

......yeah " contracts to sign"

[@subs4794]

The intro graphic says 7 years old, the narrator says 7 years old... Who wrote the title of the video, a 3-year-old ???

[@delorbb2298]

Damn, there are so many Trump ads before these videos. Sheesh.

[@bobjones927]

I saw a answer down below hope its true

[@reneesmith3953]

Sad that our Blk history is kept in the dark due to wht threat!