Jimmy Cobb Explained

Jimmy Cobb
Background:non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Name:Wilbur James Cobb
Birth Date:20 January 1929
Birth Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Death Place:Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Genre:Jazz
Occupation:Drummer
Years Active:1949–2020

Wilbur James "Jimmy" Cobb (January 20, 1929May 24, 2020) was an American jazz drummer. He was part of Miles Davis's First Great Sextet. At the time of his death, he had been the Sextet's last surviving member for nearly thirty years. He was awarded an NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2009.

Early life

Cobb was born in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 1929.[1] [2] Before he began his music career, he listened to jazz albums and stayed awake into the late hours of the night to listen to Symphony Sid broadcasting from New York City.[3] Raised Catholic, he was also exposed to Church music.[4]

Cobb started his touring career in 1950 with the saxophonist Earl Bostic. He subsequently performed with vocalist Dinah Washington, pianist Wynton Kelly, saxophonist Cannonball Adderley,[5] bassist Keter Betts,[6] Frank Wess,[7] Leo Parker, and Charlie Rouse.[8] His website also recounts his gigs with Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, and Dizzy Gillespie that took place before 1957.

Career

Cobb joined Miles Davis in 1958 as part of the latter's First Great Sextet,[2] after Adderley recommended him to Davis.[9] Cobb's best known recorded work is on Davis' Kind of Blue (1959). Cobb was the last surviving player from the sessions, a distinction that, after Davis's death in 1991, he held for almost three decades.[1] He also played on other Davis albums, including Sketches of Spain (1960), Someday My Prince Will Come (1961), Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall (1962), In Person Friday and Saturday Nights at the Blackhawk, Complete, and briefly on Porgy and Bess (1959) and Sorcerer.[1] [2] His subtle and understated demeanor drew the admiration of many including Davis.[1] [10] However, this also meant that he did not get the same level of recognition that his fellow drummers would.[1] Cobb had the propensity to eschew publicity and did not record his first set as bandleader until 1983,[11] with the release of So Nobody Else Can Hear.[5]

Cobb left the band in 1963, when Tony Williams was brought in by Davis. He formed a trio with pianist Wynton Kelly and bassist Paul Chambers, both of whom were part of Davis' rhythm section. The group toured and recorded as a trio, and also worked with Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, Joe Henderson, J. J. Johnson and others. Chambers died in 1969, though Kelly and Cobb had occasionally used other bassists in the late 1960s as Chambers' health declined. Kelly died in 1971.[12] Cobb went on to join the Great Jazz Trio, together with Hank Jones on piano and Eddie Gómez on bass.[10] He also toured with Sarah Vaughan during the 1970s,[10] [12] and taught at Stanford University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Berklee College of Music.[10] He played in a tribute band called "4 Generations of Miles", together with Ron Carter (bass), Mike Stern (guitar), and George Coleman (tenor saxophone).[13]

During his career, Cobb worked with Bill Evans,[10] Clark Terry, Stan Getz,[9] John Coltrane,[5] Wes Montgomery, Art Pepper, Wayne Shorter,[11] Benny Golson,[1] Gil Evans, Kenny Dorham, Frank Strozier, Bobby Timmons, Booker Little, Johnny Griffin, Akiko Tsuruga, Bertha Hope, Hamiet Bluiett, Nat Adderley, Mark Murphy, Jon Hendricks, Joe Henderson,[14] Fathead Newman,[15] Geri Allen,[16] Larry Willis, Walter Booker,[17] [18] Red Garland,[19] Richie Cole,[8] Ernie Royal, Jerome Richardson, Jimmy Cleveland, Philly Joe Jones,[20] Sonny Stitt, Nancy Wilson, Ricky Ford,[7] Richard Wyands, John Webber, and Peter Bernstein,[21] among many others.[11]

Awards

In June 2008, Jimmy Cobb was the recipient of the Don Redman Heritage Award.[22] On October 17, 2008, Cobb was one of six artists to receive the 2009 National Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Masters award.

Personal life and death

Cobb was married to Eleana Steinberg Cobb until his death. Together, they had two daughters, Serena and Jaime, both of whom survived him.[1]

Cobb died on May 24, 2020, at his home in Manhattan. He was 91 and had been suffering from lung cancer.[1]

Discography

Source:[23]

As leader/co-leader

As sideman

With Cannonball Adderley

With Nat Adderley

With Lorez Alexandria

With John Coltrane

With Miles Davis

With Ricky Ford

With Benny Golson

With Joe Henderson

With Hank Jones

With Wynton Kelly

With Wes Montgomery

With David "Fathead" Newman

With Sonny Red

With Shirley Scott

With Bobby Timmons

With Sarah Vaughan

With others

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Jimmy Cobb, The Pulse Of 'Kind Of Blue,' Dies At 91. Natalie. Weiner. May 25, 2020. May 25, 2020. NPR.
  2. News: Jimmy Cobb, drummer on Miles Davis's Kind of Blue, dies aged 91. Edward. Helmore. May 25, 2020. May 25, 2020. The Guardian. London.
  3. News: 'Kind of Blue' drummer still keeping time as album turns 60. David. Sharp. August 20, 2019. May 25, 2020. Associated Press News.
  4. Web site: Bledsoe: Knoxville Jazz Festival headliner sunny 50 years after 'Blue' . July 25, 2022 . knoxnews.com . en.
  5. News: Jazz Drummer Jimmy Cobb, Who Played on Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue,' Dead at 91. Ryan. Reed. Hank. Shteamer. May 25, 2020. May 25, 2020. Rolling Stone.
  6. News: As 'Kind of Blue' Turns 60, Drummer Jimmy Cobb Shares Miles Davis Memories. Ron. Hart. August 17, 2019. May 25, 2020. Billboard.
  7. Web site: Jimmy Cobb – Bio. May 25, 2020. National Endowment for the Arts.
  8. News: Jimmy Cobb. July 7, 2004. May 25, 2020. Vail Daily.
  9. News: Jimmy Cobb, 'Kind of Blue' drummer for Miles Davis, dies. Russell. Contreras. May 25, 2020. May 25, 2020. Associated Press News.
  10. News: Jimmy Cobb, consummate jazz drummer for Miles Davis, dies at 91. Adam. Bernstein. May 25, 2020. May 25, 2020. The Washington Post.
  11. News: Jimmy Cobb, Last Surviving Member of Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' Band, Dies at 91. Jem. Aswad. May 25, 2020. May 25, 2020. Variety.
  12. News: Jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb, last surviving member of Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' sextet, dies at 91. Nancy. Dillon. May 25, 2020. May 25, 2020. Daily News. New York.
  13. News: George Coleman/Mike Stern/Ron Carter/Jimmy Cobb: 4 Generations of Miles. John. Litweiler. March 1, 2003. May 25, 2020. JazzTimes.
  14. News: The Career Of Jimmy Cobb. Dennis. Owsley. April 29, 2016. May 25, 2020. St. Louis Public Radio.
  15. News: David "Fathead" Newman: Song for the New Man. Michael. Edwards. June 1, 2004. May 25, 2020. JazzTimes.
  16. News: Geri Allen's 'Timeless Portraits and Dreams'. David. Was. September 1, 2006. May 25, 2020. NPR.
  17. News: Bassist Walter Booker Dies at 72. Scott. Verrastro. November 29, 2006. May 25, 2020. JazzTimes.
  18. News: Jazz Events. June 28, 1982. C13. May 25, 2020. The New York Times.
  19. News: A Take Five Salute to Jimmy Cobb, the Consummate Hard-Bop Drummer. Nate. Chinen. January 20, 2017. May 25, 2020. WBGO.
  20. News: JJ 09/59: Miles Davis – Porgy And Bess. September 1959. May 25, 2020. Jazz Journal.
  21. News: Jimmy Cobb: The Reluctant Don. Ashley. Kahn. November 1, 2003. May 25, 2020. JazzTimes.
  22. Web site: Jimmy Cobb, jazz drums. May 25, 2020. MSU College of Music. Michigan State University.
  23. Web site: Jimmy Cobb Album Discography AllMusic. AllMusic. January 7, 2017.

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