Born in Terre Haute, Ind., Roberts first made his name in the 1980s legendary New York downtown scene alongside such frequent collaborators as Bill Frisell, Tim Berne, Marc Ribot and John Zorn, and found a second home at the famed Knitting Factory. Currently a member of Bill Frisell’s group, Harmony, Roberts has been a regular touring partner and recording artist on many of the celebrated guitarist’s projects since 1985, and was featured on Frisell's Grammy award winning recording, Unspeakable.