Jimmy Cobb

Jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb was born in Washington, D.C. in 1929. A mostly self-taught musician, Jimmy did his first recording with Earl Bostic and played extensively with Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderly, before joining Miles Davis in 1957.

His work with Miles, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderly and Co. spanned from 1957 until 1963, and included the masterpiece Kind of Blue. He also played on Sketches of Spain, Someday My Prince will Come, Live at Carnegie Hall, Live at the Blackhawk, Porgy and Bess, and many other watermark Miles Davis recordings.

In 1963, Jimmy left Miles’ band to work with Wynton Kelly and Paul Chambers behind Wes Montgomery. In addition to several Winton Kelly Trio Albums, the three did albums with Kenny Burrell, and J.J. Johnson, among others before disbanding in the late 60's. Jimmy then worked with Sarah Vaughn for 9 years. Afterward, Jimmy continued to freelance with several great groups throughout the seventies, eighties, and nineties.

Jimmy has played around the world from Newport to Monte Carlo, from LA to Japan. He has performed for Presidents Ford, and Carter, the Shah of Iran and many other dignitaries in his storied career.

Jimmy remains active, not only in New York City, where he leads Jimmy Cobb's Mob but on the international circuit. He also travels every year to Stanford University to teach Master Classes for the Universities’ Jazz Workshop. He has taught for The New School, University of Greensboro in North Carolina, the International Cen for the arts at San Francisco and numerous educational institutions throughout the globe.

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