Course Studied: BA (Hons) Jazz
Year of Graduation: 2013
ROBIN PORTER is an award-winning saxophonist and composer based in London, renowned for his versatility, musicality and expressive sound. A sought-after instrumentalist, he has performed at many of the UK’s most prestigious venues, captivating audiences with his artistry and individuality.
“Robin’s music is all about lyrical playing informed from ‘the source’, delivered with a warm joyful sound”
Stan Sulzmann“Robin is a great musician – he has a beautiful melodic turn of phrase and a strong personal sound”
Kit Downes
Robin’s primary creative outler is his contemporary jazz trio ‘Aspyrian’, a dynamic project blending original compositions and improvisation with the sincerity of soulful songwriters and grit of alternative bands. Under his leadership, Aspyrian has released three acclaimed albums, earned two Help Musicians awards, and toured the UK twice, bringing their distinctive sound to stages nationwide.
Other performance highlights for Robin include a concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall for Ashley Henry’s Who We Are album launch (2024); a sold-out appearance with Aspyrian at the EFG London Jazz Festival (2022); a live BBC Radio 3 with Nick Smart, Kit Downes, Tom Herbert and Martin France (2018); a 10 month residency at London’s iconic Jazz Café (2016–17) alongside Ashley Henry and David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats).
Robin holds a distinction in the MA Jazz Performance course at the Royal Academy of Music, where he had the privilege of studying with world-class musicians and educators. He also graduated with First-Class BA in Jazz from Leeds Conservatoire, where he received the prestigious George Murphy Trophy for Jazz Saxophone.
Alongside his performing career, Robin is a dedicated educator with over 15 years’ experience teaching woodwinds, composition, theory, and musicianship at leading schools and institutions, as well as privately. He has also worked as a tutor (and completed mentorship programmes) for the National Youth Jazz Collective (NYJC) and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO).
