Photo by Justin Criado

Jazz musician Lee Robinson plays to a crowd at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh Nov. 13.

By Justin Criado

The unofficial soundtrack of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is the hum and excited cheers of hundreds of excited kids as they run throughout the Allegheny Center attraction on a daily basis, but for the last decade jazz musician Lee Robinson has added his own sounds of excitement, playing the saxophone around the museum a couple days each month.

“For the kids this might be the first time they see live music,” Robinson said. “This might be the first time they see someone playing an instrument.”

Robinson plays the tenor and soprano saxophones, switching between the two as he walks from room to room.

Crowds of inquisitive children gather around, stopping almost instantly when they hear the warm notes.

“Some (children) are very curious,” Robinson said. “Some get in to it. I like when they start to move or dance to the music. They’re getting a sense of rhythm.”

Robinson has been playing throughout Pittsburgh for over 40 years, and is a staple at the Children’s Museum’s annual “Countdown to Noon” New Year’s event.

Describing his playing style as “loose,” Robinson plays an assortment of songs from traditional jazz to contemporary.

Photo by Justin Criado

Jazz musician Lee Robinson