Roberts is reported to have had very large hands, which allowed him to span 14 keys on the piano, and his right hand was particularly fluid. He played for the Vanderbilts, Astors, and other wealthy families in New York.
Roberts plays his "Railroad Blues" here:
In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends the album, Luckey and the Lion: Harlem Piano (Good Time Jazz S10035), which features "Luckey" Roberts and Willie "The Lion" Smith. (Buy the CD at Barnes & Noble.)
Robert
