Arnett Cobb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arnett Cobb
|
|
|---|---|
Cobb at the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society, Half Moon Bay, California 1979
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Arnette Cleophus Cobbs |
| Born | August 10, 1918 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 24, 1989 (aged 70) Houston, Texas |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Tenor saxophone |
| Associated acts | Illinois Jacquet, Lionel Hampton |
Arnett Cleophus Cobb (born August 10, 1918 – died March 24, 1989) was an amazing American musician. He played the tenor saxophone and was sometimes called the "Wild Man of the Tenor Sax." This was because of his exciting and energetic playing style. Arnett Cobb also wrote the famous jazz song "Smooth Sailing" in 1951. A legendary singer named Ella Fitzgerald even recorded this song!
Contents
Arnett Cobb's Early Life and Music
Arnett Cobb was born in Houston, Texas. His grandmother taught him to play the piano. Later, he learned the violin. But his main instrument became the tenor saxophone, which he started playing in his high school band.
When he was just 15 years old, Arnett joined a band led by Louisiana bandleader Frank Davis. They performed shows in Houston and all over Louisiana during the summer.
Playing with Famous Bands
Cobb continued his music career with local bands. He played with trumpeter Chester Boone from 1934 to 1936. Then, he joined Milt Larkin's band from 1936 to 1942. In Larkin's band, he played alongside other great musicians like Illinois Jacquet and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson.
.jpg)
In 1942, Arnett Cobb joined Lionel Hampton's famous band. He stayed with Hampton until 1947. Arnett's powerful solo in Hampton's song "Flying Home No. 2" made audiences very excited. His strong, energetic playing style earned him the nickname "Wild Man of the Tenor Sax."
Overcoming Challenges
After leaving Lionel Hampton's band, Cobb started his own seven-piece band. However, he faced some serious health challenges. In 1950, he became very ill and needed a special operation on his spine.
Even after recovering and starting his band again, he had another setback in 1956. He was in a car crash, which affected his health for a long time. This meant he had to spend time in the hospital and needed crutches to walk.
Despite these difficulties, Arnett Cobb kept playing music. He performed as a solo artist throughout the 1970s and 1980s, both in the U.S. and in other countries. He even played in Europe in 1988, just a year before he passed away.
Arnett Cobb died in his hometown of Houston in 1989. He was 70 years old. He is remembered as a talented and determined musician who brought a lot of energy to jazz music.
See also
In Spanish: Arnett Cobb para niños
