Jimmy Cobb (1929-2020)
Hearing and seeing Jimmy Cobb in Orlando was a rare experience. That could maybe happen in New York, Chicago, Boston or Los Angeles, but Orlando? It happened, I was there. He was at 2 locations. I saw him early in the day at Rollins College for a master class with music students. I sat, watched and listened. In my opinion and memory from the time (1994) there were few in the room, aware of the artistry and history of Jimmy Cobb. As I watched him, he seemed bored---unattached to the presentation. The evening performance at Pinky Lees Jazz Club was a different situation.
When I first started digging into the history of jazz, bebop, Miles, Coltrane and those “straight ahead” genre of musicians. Jimmy Cobb wasn’t my priority. Tony Williams and Elvin were my key players. That Miles period (all performed by Jimmy Cobb on drums) Sketches of Spain, Porgy and Bess, Sorcerer and the legendary record Kind of Blue (1959) I was aware of, but weren’t on my playlist.
Looking back, I think it had to do with the energy of the rhythm section. I wasn’t mature enough to appreciate the transition from bebop to Miles, Cool Period. Jimmy Cobb left Miles band in 1963, with the addition of Tony Williams. That’s the period I was intrigued by.
In 2023+ I have a more mature appreciation for that style of rhythm section. The piano playing of Red Garland and Wynton Kelly with Bassist Paul Chambers, Jimmy Cobb on drums. Jimmy Cobb also played on many Wes Montgomery record dates. All of those mentioned are currently on my listening list, overlooked from my past.
What I remember from that Pinky Lee’s gig was Jimmy Cobb’s time feel. His Signature Touch on the ride cymbal. Like Mel Lewis and others, Jimmy made it look easy. Thanks to Youtube there are several videos of Jimmy Cobb with Coltrane, Miles and others. There’s a Youtube video (Sarah Vaughan in Bruxelles – Drum Solo by Jimmy Cobb) amazing brush and stick solo.
Many say Tony Williams influence came from Philly Joe Jones, Looking at these Jimmy Cobb videos, I see Tony Williams influenced by Jimmy Cobb.
I still have some listening and learning to do upon discovery of these Jimmy Cobb videos.