Billy Cobham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Billy Cobham
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Cobham performing at WOMAD in 2005
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Emanuel Cobham Jr. |
| Born | May 16, 1944 Colón, Panama |
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| Instruments | Drums, percussion |
| Years active | 1968–present |
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| Associated acts | Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jack Bruce, New York Jazz Quartet, Jazz Is Dead, Bobby and the Midnites, Mark-Almond, George Duke |
William Emanuel "Billy" Cobham Jr. (born May 16, 1944) is a famous Panamanian-American jazz drummer. He became well-known in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He played with music legends like trumpeter Miles Davis and the band Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Cobham is often called the greatest drummer in jazz fusion, a style that mixes jazz with rock music. His drumming is known for being powerful and complex. One music expert said Cobham mixed the complexity of jazz with the power of rock and roll. His amazing skill helped create some of the most important music in the genre.
He was added to the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013. His music has inspired many other drummers, from rock to jazz.
Contents
Early Life and First Drums
Billy Cobham was born in Colón, Panama. When he was three years old, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. His father, Manuel, was a piano player on the weekends. This is how young Billy was introduced to music.
He started playing the drums when he was only four years old. By age eight, he was already performing with his father. When he was 15, he was accepted into New York's famous The High School of Music & Art. To celebrate, he received his very first drum kit as a gift.
After high school, Cobham joined a U.S. Army band and played with them for three years. When he left the army, his music career took off. He became a house drummer for Atlantic Records, which means he played for many different artists recording at the studio.
Rise to Fame
Working with Music Legends
In the early 1970s, Cobham helped create a new style of music called jazz fusion. He started a band called Dreams with other talented young musicians. Soon after, he began recording with the legendary Miles Davis. You can hear Cobham's drumming on Davis's albums A Tribute to Jack Johnson and Big Fun.
In 1971, Cobham and guitarist John McLaughlin formed the Mahavishnu Orchestra. This band became one of the most important groups in jazz fusion history. They mixed rock, funk, and jazz in a new and exciting way. The band toured from 1971 to 1973 and released classic albums like The Inner Mounting Flame and Birds of Fire.
A Successful Solo Career
After leaving the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Cobham started his own band. His first album as a leader, Spectrum (1973), was a huge hit. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard magazine Jazz Albums chart.
During this time, Cobham became famous for his huge drum kits. His mid-1970s kit was made of clear acrylic shells and included two bass drums, many tom-toms, and a giant 36-inch gong. His powerful and flashy style of playing on this massive kit inspired many drummers who came after him.
Later Career and Projects
Throughout his career, Cobham has continued to explore new sounds and work with many different musicians. In 1980, he played with Jack Bruce from the band Cream. He also made a surprise appearance with the rock band the Grateful Dead at a concert in New York City.
In 1981, he formed a new group called Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie. He moved to Switzerland in 1985 but has continued to tour and record music all over the world.
In 2006, Cobham released Drum 'n' Voice 2, an album that returned to the jazz-funk sound of the 1970s. He has also released other albums in this series, featuring famous guest artists like Chaka Khan, George Duke, and John Scofield.
Today, Cobham also teaches others how to play. In 2011, he started an online drum school to share his knowledge with students everywhere.
Legacy and Influence
Billy Cobham's drumming has had a huge impact on music. His unique style, which uses an "open-handed technique" (playing without crossing his hands over the snare drum), allows for incredible speed and power.
Many famous musicians have said Cobham was a major influence on them.
- Phil Collins said that the Mahavishnu Orchestra's album The Inner Mounting Flame was a key influence on his own drumming. He called Cobham's playing on that record "some of the finest drumming I've ever heard."
- Rock musicians like Bill Bruford of King Crimson and Danny Carey of Tool were inspired by his style.
- Even pop superstar Prince and guitar legend Jeff Beck have played versions of Cobham's song "Stratus" in their concerts.
Cobham himself was influenced by earlier jazz drummers like Buddy Rich, Max Roach, and Elvin Jones. By learning from the greats and adding his own incredible talent, Billy Cobham created a sound that changed drumming forever.
Selected Discography
This is a small list of some of Billy Cobham's most famous albums as a bandleader.
- Spectrum (1973)
- Crosswinds (1974)
- Total Eclipse (1974)
- A Funky Thide of Sings (1975)
- Magic (1977)
- Palindrome (2010)
With Mahavishnu Orchestra
- The Inner Mounting Flame (1971)
- Birds of Fire (1973)
- Between Nothingness & Eternity (1973)
See also
In Spanish: Billy Cobham para niños
