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Jimmy Cobb

{{Short description|American jazz drummer (1929–2020)}}

{{similar names|James Cobb (disambiguation)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Jimmy Cobb

| image = Jimmy Cobb.jpg

| caption = Cobb drumming {{c.}} 2008

| alt = Cobb behind a drum kit

| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist

| birth_name = Wilbur James Cobb

| birth_date = {{birth date |1929|01|20}}

| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|5|24|1929|1|20}}

| death_place = Manhattan, New York City, U.S.

| genre = Jazz

| occupation = Drummer

| years_active = 1949–2020

| website =

}}

Wilbur James "Jimmy" Cobb (January 20, 1929{{spnd}}May 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.{{cite news|title=Jimmy Cobb, The Pulse Of 'Kind Of Blue,' Dies At 91|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/05/25/845814061/jimmy-cobb-the-pulse-of-kind-of-blue-dies-at-91|first=Natalie|last=Weiner|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 25, 2020|publisher=NPR}}{{cite news|title=Jimmy Cobb, drummer on Miles Davis's Kind of Blue, dies aged 91|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/may/25/jimmy-cobb-dead-miles-davis-kind-of-blue|first=Edward|last=Helmore|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 25, 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London}} 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.{{cite news|title='Kind of Blue' drummer still keeping time as album turns 60|url=https://apnews.com/ab196dbaa7ef415a8969b6d9910c438d|first=David|last=Sharp|date=August 20, 2019|access-date=May 25, 2020|work=Associated Press News}} Raised Catholic, he was also exposed to Church music.{{Cite web |title=Bledsoe: Knoxville Jazz Festival headliner sunny 50 years after 'Blue' |url=http://www.knoxnews.com/entertainment/columnists/wayne-bledsoe/bledsoe-knoxville-jazz-festival-headliner-sunny-50-years-after-blue-ep-407858918-358569121.html |access-date=July 25, 2022 |website=knoxnews.com |language=en}}

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,{{cite news|title=Jazz Drummer Jimmy Cobb, Who Played on Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue,' Dead at 91|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jimmy-cobb-drummer-dead-obit-1004840/|first1=Ryan|last1=Reed|first2=Hank|last2=Shteamer|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone}} bassist Keter Betts,{{cite news|title=As 'Kind of Blue' Turns 60, Drummer Jimmy Cobb Shares Miles Davis Memories|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8527648/miles-davis-kind-of-blue-drummer-jimmy-cobb-shares-miles-davis|first=Ron|last=Hart|date=August 17, 2019|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=Billboard}} Frank Wess,{{cite web|title=Jimmy Cobb – Bio|url=https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/jimmy-cobb|access-date=May 25, 2020|publisher=National Endowment for the Arts}} Leo Parker, and Charlie Rouse.{{cite news|title=Jimmy Cobb|url=https://www.vaildaily.com/news/jimmy-cobb/|date=July 7, 2004|access-date=May 25, 2020|newspaper=Vail Daily}} 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, after Adderley recommended him to Davis.{{cite news|title=Jimmy Cobb, 'Kind of Blue' drummer for Miles Davis, dies|url=https://apnews.com/a6829f7fa95258087a6a031ba0c6b951|first=Russell|last=Contreras|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 25, 2020|work=Associated Press News}} 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. 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. His subtle and understated demeanor drew the admiration of many including Davis.{{cite news|title=Jimmy Cobb, consummate jazz drummer for Miles Davis, dies at 91|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/jimmy-cobb-consummate-jazz-drummer-for-miles-davis-dies-at-91/2020/05/25/d258a134-9e92-11ea-9590-1858a893bd59_story.html|first=Adam|last=Bernstein|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 25, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post}} However, this also meant that he did not get the same level of recognition that his fellow drummers would. Cobb had the propensity to eschew publicity and did not record his first set as bandleader until 1983,{{cite news|title=Jimmy Cobb, Last Surviving Member of Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' Band, Dies at 91|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/jimmy-cobb-miles-davis-dead-dies-billie-holiday-1234615586/|first=Jem|last=Aswad|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=Variety}} with the release of So Nobody Else Can Hear.

File:19930225 jimmy cobb braunschweig museum.jpg, 1993]]

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.{{cite news|title=Jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb, last surviving member of Miles Davis' 'Kind of Blue' sextet, dies at 91|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-jazz-drummer-jimmy-cobb-who-played-with-miles-davis-dies-in-ny-20200525-tkugyeimr5g5tbxz62p2vxhvy4-story.html|first=Nancy|last=Dillon|date=May 25, 2020|access-date=May 25, 2020|newspaper=Daily News|publisher=New York}} Cobb went on to join the Great Jazz Trio, together with Hank Jones on piano and Eddie Gómez on bass. He also toured with Sarah Vaughan during the 1970s, and taught at Stanford University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Berklee College of Music. He played in a tribute band called "4 Generations of Miles", together with Ron Carter (bass), Mike Stern (guitar), and George Coleman (tenor saxophone).{{cite news|title=George Coleman/Mike Stern/Ron Carter/Jimmy Cobb: 4 Generations of Miles|url=https://jazztimes.com/archives/george-colemanmike-sternron-carterjimmy-cobb-4-generations-of-miles/|first=John|last=Litweiler|date=March 1, 2003|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=JazzTimes}}

During his career, Cobb worked with Bill Evans, Clark Terry, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, Art Pepper, Wayne Shorter, Benny Golson, 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,{{cite news|title=The Career Of Jimmy Cobb|url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/career-jimmy-cobb#stream/0|first=Dennis|last=Owsley|date=April 29, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2020|publisher=St. Louis Public Radio}} Fathead Newman,{{cite news|title=David "Fathead" Newman: Song for the New Man|url=https://jazztimes.com/archives/david-fathead-newman-song-for-the-new-man/|first=Michael|last=Edwards|date=June 1, 2004|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=JazzTimes}} Geri Allen,{{cite news|title=Geri Allen's 'Timeless Portraits and Dreams'|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5749783|first=David|last=Was|date=September 1, 2006|access-date=May 25, 2020|publisher=NPR}} Larry Willis, Walter Booker,{{cite news|title=Bassist Walter Booker Dies at 72|url=https://jazztimes.com/archives/bassist-walter-booker-dies-at-72/|first=Scott|last=Verrastro|date=November 29, 2006|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=JazzTimes}}{{cite news|title=Jazz Events|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/06/28/arts/jazz-events.html|date=June 28, 1982|page=C13|access-date=May 25, 2020|newspaper=The New York Times}} Red Garland,{{cite news|title=A Take Five Salute to Jimmy Cobb, the Consummate Hard-Bop Drummer|url=https://www.wbgo.org/post/take-five-salute-jimmy-cobb-consummate-hard-bop-drummer#stream/0|first=Nate|last=Chinen|date=January 20, 2017|access-date=May 25, 2020|publisher=WBGO}} Richie Cole, Ernie Royal, Jerome Richardson, Jimmy Cleveland, Philly Joe Jones,{{cite news|title=JJ 09/59: Miles Davis – Porgy And Bess|url=https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2019/09/27/jj-09-59-miles-davis-porgy-and-bess/|date=September 1959|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=Jazz Journal}} Sonny Stitt, Nancy Wilson, Ricky Ford, Richard Wyands, John Webber, and Peter Bernstein,{{cite news|title=Jimmy Cobb: The Reluctant Don|url=https://jazztimes.com/features/profiles/jimmy-cobb-the-reluctant-don/|first=Ashley|last=Kahn|date=November 1, 2003|access-date=May 25, 2020|magazine=JazzTimes}} among many others.

Awards

In June 2008, Jimmy Cobb was the recipient of the Don Redman Heritage Award.{{cite web|title=Jimmy Cobb, jazz drums|url=http://www.music.msu.edu/news/016-msufcu-jazz-artist-in-residence/jimmy-cobb-jazz-drums|access-date=May 25, 2020|work=MSU College of Music|publisher=Michigan State University}} 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.

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

Discography

Source:{{cite web|title=Jimmy Cobb {{!}} Album Discography {{!}} AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-cobb-mn0000350892/discography|website=AllMusic|access-date=January 7, 2017}}

= As leader/co-leader =

  • So Nobody Else Can Hear (Contempo Vibrato, 1983) – recorded in 1981
  • Encounter with Ada Montellanico (Philology, 1994)
  • Only for the Pure of Heart (Fable/Lightyear, 1998) – live
  • Four Generations of Miles: A Live Tribute to Miles with George Coleman, Mike Stern, Ron Carter (Chesky, 2002)
  • Jimmy Cobb Trio (Azzurra Music, 2002)
  • Cobb's Groove (Milestone, 2003)
  • Yesterdays (RteesanCobb Music, 2003)
  • Taking a Chance on Love featuring Marco Tamburini (Sound Hills, 2004)
  • Tribute to Wynton Kelly & Paul Chambers (Sound Hills, 2004)
  • Cobb Is Back in Italy! (Azzurra Music, 2005)
  • Marsalis Music Honors Series: Jimmy Cobb (Marsalis/Rounder, 2006) – recorded in 2005
  • New York Time (Chesky, 2006)
  • Cobb's Corner (Chesky, 2007)
  • Jazz in the Key of Blue (Chesky, 2009)
  • Live at Smalls (Smallslive, 2010)
  • Remembering Miles 'Tribute to Miles Davis{{'}} (Sony Music, 2011)
  • The Original Mob (Smoke Sessions, 2014)
  • The Super Trio, Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise with Massimo Farao, Ron Carter (Venus, 2018)
  • This I Dig of You (Smoke Sessions, 2019) – live
  • Remembering U featuring Roy Hargrove (Jimmy Cobb World, 2019) – recorded in 2016

= As sideman =

{{div col}}

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

  • The Great Jazz Trio, Threesome (Eastworld, 1982)
  • The Great Jazz Trio, What's New (Eastworld, 1982)
  • The Great Jazz Trio, The Club New Yorker (Denon, 1983)
  • The Great Jazz Trio, Ambrosia (Denon, 1983)
  • The Great Jazz Trio, N.Y.Sophisticate: a Tribute to Duke Ellington (Denon, 1984)
  • The Great Jazz Trio, Monk's Mood (Denon, 1984)
  • West of 5th (Chesky, 2006)

With Wynton Kelly

With Wes Montgomery

With David "Fathead" Newman

With Sonny Red

With Shirley Scott

With Bobby Timmons

With Sarah Vaughan

With others

{{div col end}}

References

{{Reflist|refs=

  • {{cite web |author=Ron Wynn |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-cobb-mn0000350892/biography |title=Jimmy Cobb – Biography |work=AllMusic |access-date=July 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508014713/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jimmy-cobb-mn0000350892/biography |archive-date=May 8, 2015 |url-status=live }}
  • {{cite web|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/|title=All-Time 100 Albums – Kind of Blue|publisher=Time Entertainment|date=January 27, 2010|access-date=August 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301183543/http://entertainment.time.com/2006/11/02/the-all-time-100-albums/|archive-date=March 1, 2014|url-status=live}}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.jazz.com/dozens/the-dozens-the-golden-anniversary-of-porgy-and-bess|title=The Dozens: The Golden Anniversary of Porgy and Bess|publisher=Jazz.com|access-date=August 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107035926/http://www.jazz.com/dozens/the-dozens-the-golden-anniversary-of-porgy-and-bess|archive-date=January 7, 2014|url-status=dead}}
  • {{cite web|url=http://arts.gov/honors/jazz/jimmy-cobb|title=NEA Jazz Masters – Jimmy Cobb|publisher=National Endowment for the Arts|location=Washington|access-date=March 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323210405/http://arts.gov/honors/jazz/jimmy-cobb|archive-date=March 23, 2014|url-status=live}}

}}

External links

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20180613005135/http://www.jimmycobb.net/discography.html Jimmy Cobb - Legendary Jazz Drummer] – includes full discography
  • {{Discogs artist|Jimmy Cobb}}
  • [http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Jimmy_Cobb.html Drummerworld.com Page]
  • [http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=149427 Jazz Icon Jimmy Cobb]
  • [http://news.allaboutjazz.com/news.php?id=79097 Jimmy Cobb interview at allaboutjazz.com]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cobb, Jimmy}}

Category:1929 births

Category:2020 deaths

Category:20th-century American drummers

Category:21st-century American drummers

Category:African-American drummers

Category:American jazz drummers

Category:American male drummers

Category:Chesky Records artists

Category:Deaths from lung cancer in New York (state)

Category:Hard bop drummers

Category:American male jazz musicians

Category:Miles Davis Quintet members

Category:Drummers from Washington, D.C.

Category:SteepleChase Records artists

Category:Smoke Sessions Records artists

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:Modal jazz drummers

Category:African-American Catholics

Category:NEA Jazz Masters