Jimmy Cobb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy Cobb
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Cobb drumming c. 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wilbur James Cobb |
| Born | January 20, 1929 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | May 24, 2020 (aged 91) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Years active | 1949–2020 |
Wilbur James "Jimmy" Cobb (born January 20, 1929 – died May 24, 2020) was a famous American jazz drummer. He was a key member of Miles Davis's important group, known as the First Great Sextet. When he passed away, he was the last living member of that famous band. Jimmy Cobb received a special award, the NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, in 2009 for his amazing contributions to jazz music.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Jimmy Cobb was born in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 1929. Before he started his music career, he loved listening to jazz records. He would often stay up late to hear Symphony Sid's jazz radio shows from New York City. He also grew up with church music, which influenced him.
Cobb began his touring career in 1950. His first big tour was with the saxophonist Earl Bostic. After that, he played with many other great musicians. These included singer Dinah Washington and pianist Wynton Kelly. He also performed with saxophonists Cannonball Adderley, Frank Wess, Leo Parker, and Charlie Rouse. Before 1957, he also played with legends like Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, and Dizzy Gillespie.
A Career in Jazz Music
Joining Miles Davis
In 1958, Jimmy Cobb joined Miles Davis's band. This group was called the First Great Sextet. Cannonball Adderley suggested Cobb to Miles Davis. Cobb's most famous work is on Davis's album Kind of Blue (1959). This album is one of the most important jazz albums ever made.
Cobb was the last surviving musician from the Kind of Blue recording sessions. After Miles Davis died in 1991, Cobb held this special title for almost 30 years. He also played on other famous Miles Davis albums. These include Sketches of Spain (1960) and Someday My Prince Will Come (1961). He also played on Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall (1962).
Jimmy Cobb was known for his calm and subtle drumming style. Many musicians, including Miles Davis, admired this. However, because he was so humble, he didn't always get as much attention as other drummers. Cobb didn't release his own album as a bandleader until 1983. It was called So Nobody Else Can Hear.
After Miles Davis
Cobb left Miles Davis's band in 1963. He then formed his own trio with pianist Wynton Kelly and bassist Paul Chambers. These two musicians had also been part of Miles Davis's band. The trio toured and recorded together. They also played with other famous musicians like Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery.
Sadly, Paul Chambers passed away in 1969, and Wynton Kelly died in 1971. After this, Cobb joined another group called the Great Jazz Trio. In this trio, he played with Hank Jones on piano and Eddie Gómez on bass.
During the 1970s, Cobb also toured with the amazing singer Sarah Vaughan. He also shared his knowledge by teaching music at several universities. These included Stanford University and Berklee College of Music. Later in his career, he played in a special band called "4 Generations of Miles." This group honored Miles Davis's music.
Working with Many Artists
Throughout his long career, Jimmy Cobb played with many, many jazz artists. Some of these famous names include Bill Evans, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, Art Pepper, Wayne Shorter, and Sarah Vaughan. He truly was a master drummer who helped shape the sound of jazz.
Awards and Recognition
Jimmy Cobb received important awards for his contributions to jazz. In June 2008, he was given the Don Redman Heritage Award. In October 2008, he was one of six artists to receive the 2009 National Endowment for the Arts NEA Jazz Masters award. This is one of the highest honors for jazz musicians in the United States.
Personal Life and Passing
Jimmy Cobb was married to Eleana Steinberg Cobb. They had two daughters, Serena and Jaime, who survived him.
Jimmy Cobb passed away on May 24, 2020, at his home in Manhattan, New York City. He was 91 years old and had been battling lung cancer.
Discography
As Leader/Co-leader
- So Nobody Else Can Hear (Contempo Vibrato, 1983)
- 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)
- 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)
As Sideman (Selected Albums)
- With Cannonball Adderley
- Sophisticated Swing (EmArcy, 1956)
- Cannonball Enroute (EmArcy, 1957)
- With John Coltrane
- Standard Coltrane (Prestige, 1962)
- Giant Steps (on "Naima" only, Atlantic, 1960)
- With Miles Davis
- Porgy and Bess (Columbia, 1959)
- Kind of Blue (Columbia, 1959)
- Sketches of Spain (Columbia, 1960)
- Someday My Prince Will Come (Columbia, 1961)
- With Wynton Kelly
- Kelly Blue (Riverside, 1959)
- Wynton Kelly! (Vee-Jay, 1961)
- With Wes Montgomery
- Full House (Riverside, 1962)
- Smokin' at the Half Note (Verve, 1965)
- With Sarah Vaughan
- Live in Japan (Mainstream, 1975)
See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Cobb para niños
