Jimmy Cobb

A superb, mostly self-taught drummer, Jimmy Cobb has been a dominant accompanist and outstanding soloist. He approaches the drum kit in both a melodic and percussive fashion, never playing overly-long or rambling solos. He's known for working slightly ahead of the beat, and has anchored many fine sessions as well as spending five years with Miles Davis in the '50s and '60s. Cobb did study briefly with Jack Dennett, a percussionist with extensive symphonic credentials. He played with Charlie Rouse, Leo Parker, Frank Wess, Billie Holiday and Pearl Bailey in Washington, D.C. Cobb left in 1950 to join Earl Bostic, and cut his first recordings with him. He played with Dinah Washington over three years, then worked with Cannonball Adderley, Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie. He took over for Philly Joe Jones in the Davis band in 1958, and was on hand for several seminal dates. He finally left, along with Paul Chambers, to team with Wynton Kelly. The trio played and recorded with Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and J.j. Johnson before it disbanded. Cobb played on the film soundtrack "Seven Days In May," and later worked with David Amram. He worked with Sarah Vaughan through the '70s, and was featured on a public television film of a Vaughan concert at the Wolf Trap Jazz Festival. Cobb also worked with Richie Cole, Sonny Stitt, Nat Adderley and Ricky Ford. During the '80s he worked with the Joe Albany trio. Cobb remains active, though there are currently no albums under his name as a leader listed. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide