Born in 1958, Yves Robert studied the flute and trombone at the Vichy Conservatoire for nine years. He was quickly drawn to jazz, its energy, and the sense of unbridled freedom it offers.
To celebrate this and dream of becoming part of it, he decided to become a virtuoso and worked on a range of sound techniques (multiphony, slaps, continuous breath, aspiration, etc.) – all to be unique, adaptable and appreciated.

Then came the time for achievements: in 1981, he joined the ARFI (Association à la Recherche d’un Folklore Imaginaire) in Lyon, and the GRIM in Marseille in 1983, organising musical gatherings, concerts, festivals and educational workshops.
A talented improviser, he became a leading trombonist in contemporary jazz and performed on Europe’s greatest stages: Bernard Lubat, Chris McGregor, the National Jazz Orchestra (1986 and 1997–2000), Daniel Humair, Gérard Marais, Derek Bailey, Michel Portal, Marc Ducret, Joëlle Léandre, Louis Sclavis, François Corneloup, Jacques Pellen, David Chevallier “is that pop music”, Vincent Courtois, …
He is a fan of cross-genre collaborations: Kudsi Erguner (Turkey), the medieval vocal ensemble “Venance Fortunat”, rock tours with “Prohibition”, “Bumcello”, “Mendelson” …

So there’s quite a buzz and things are going well, but jazz isn’t the only thing in his world, and his stage presence leads him to collaborate on various musical shows and draws him towards more electronic realms.

He has also composed music for several documentary films, including *Un spécialiste* (1999, dir. Eyal Sivan and Rony Brauman) about the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem; for theatre: *Nils par dessus tout* and *Renart et 1/2*; and for multimedia installations: *Si c’était à refaire* and *Les enfants de la nuit*.

Nevertheless, devising a project, putting together a group and composing for it remains his core activity:
From 1988 to 1990, he led a trio that was universally acclaimed: with Aaron Scott (drums) and Bruno Chevillon (double bass).
From 1992 to 1996, his quartet thrilled festival audiences: Claude Tchamitchian (double bass), Alfred Spirli (percussion) and Philippe Deschepper (guitar).
From 1995 to 1998, he formed a large, exhilarating orchestra: “Les Improvisateurs Réunis” (12 musicians).
From 1997 to 2003, it was “summer” in a quintet: Laurent Dehors (sax, clarinet), David Chevallier (guitar), Hélène Labarrière (double bass), Cyril Atef (drums), a sizzling evocation of summer sensations.
From 2012 to 2022, Yves Robert was a lecturer and coordinator in contemporary amplified music at the CRR in Annecy / Pays de Savoie.

In 2023, he moved to the Hautes-Pyrénées.
Yves Robert is also a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Possessing great technique and a precise, dynamic tone, he plays the trombone with freedom and sensuality.
His expansive style combines melodies, improvisations and playful sound textures, like so many stories nourished by soundscapes.