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 Cobham Jr. (born May 16, 1944) is a famous Panamanian–American jazz drummer. He became very well-known in the late 1960s and early 1970s. First, he played with trumpeter Miles Davis, and then with the Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Many people consider Billy Cobham one of the greatest drummers in a music style called "fusion." Fusion mixes jazz, rock, and funk. He played drums with amazing skill and power on many important early fusion albums. Later, he also became a successful bandleader, leading his own groups. His drumming style was a powerful mix of complex jazz rhythms and strong rock music.
Billy Cobham's influence goes beyond jazz. He inspired drummers in progressive rock, like Bill Bruford from King Crimson and Danny Carey from Tool. Even famous musicians like Prince and Jeff Beck have played his song "Stratus" in their concerts. Phil Collins, a well-known drummer, said that Billy Cobham's drumming on the Mahavishnu Orchestra's album The Inner Mounting Flame was some of the best he had ever heard.
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Billy Cobham's Early Life and Music Journey
Billy Cobham was born in Colón, Panama. When he was three years old, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York. His father, Manuel, played piano on weekends and worked at a hospital during the week.
Billy started playing drums when he was just four years old! By the time he was eight, he was already playing with his father. When he was 15, he received his first drum kit as a gift. This happened after he was accepted into The High School of Music & Art in New York City, a special school for talented young artists.
In 1965, Billy joined the U.S. Army and played in an army band for three years. After leaving the army, he joined a jazz group led by Horace Silver. He also became a drummer for Atlantic Records and played on many albums for other record companies like CTI. He played on albums for artists such as George Benson, Milt Jackson, and Grover Washington Jr..
Forming New Bands and Fusion Music
Billy Cobham helped start a jazz rock band called Dreams. In this band, he played with talented musicians like Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker.
He then moved deeper into jazz fusion music. He recorded with the legendary Miles Davis, playing on his albums A Tribute to Jack Johnson and Big Fun.
In 1971, Billy Cobham and guitarist John McLaughlin formed the Mahavishnu Orchestra. This was another important band that mixed rock, funk, and jazz music. Billy toured a lot with the Mahavishnu Orchestra from 1971 to 1973. They released two studio albums, The Inner Mounting Flame (1971) and Birds of Fire (1973), which became very famous.
Solo Success and Unique Drum Kits
Billy Cobham's first solo album, Spectrum (1973), was a huge surprise hit! It reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and even made it to number 26 on the Top 200 Albums chart.
He loved to try out different drum equipment. In the mid-1970s, Billy used a massive drum kit. It included two bass drums, several toms, and many Zildjian cymbals, plus a huge 36-inch gong! This huge drum kit and Billy's powerful drumming style inspired many drummers who came after him.
In 1980, he worked with Jack Bruce in a band called Jack Bruce & Friends. For this group, Billy used another very large custom drum kit. It had three bass drums and three snare drums! He even joined the famous band Grateful Dead for a drum solo session with their two drummers.
In 1981, Billy Cobham formed a new band called Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie. This band released two albums. Later, in 1984, he played in the band Bobby and the Midnites, a side project for Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead.
Billy Cobham moved to Switzerland in 1985. He continued to perform and release music, including his "Drum 'n' Voice" album series, which brought back a 1970s jazz-funk sound with many guest musicians.
Billy Cobham plays his drums using a special technique called open-handed drumming. This means he plays without crossing his right hand over the snare drum, which can make his playing look and sound very unique.
Since 2011, Billy Cobham has also been teaching drums online at the Billy Cobham School of Drums.
Praise from Other Musicians
Many musicians have said that Billy Cobham influenced their own drumming and music. Some of these drummers include Kenny Aronoff, Danny Carey, Jimmy Chamberlin, Dennis Chambers, and Mike Portnoy. Other musicians, like Steven Wilson, have also expressed how much they admire his work.
Discography
Billy Cobham has released many albums as a bandleader and has played on countless others as a sideman.
See also
In Spanish: Billy Cobham para niños
