Born on January 20, 1929 in Washington D.C. - Wilbur James (Jimmy) Cobb died at 91 in New York City on May 24, 2020. Jimmy’s wife, Eleana Tee Cobb said his death was attributed to lung cancer. Jimmy died at home surrounded by family, she said - “He was very special, a gifted musician with natural talent like an athlete. “My Jimmy was vibrant until the end… It’s a big deal that he’s gone. It’s very painful… I’m a little bit in shock. Jimmy was sensitive to those around him… Always so kind and understanding - I wish everyone could know a Jimmy Cobb.”
After working the D.C. jazz scene in the early 1950s Jimmy began working with Earl Bostic - hitting the road at age 21. In 1957, he joined up with Cannonball Adderley appearing on the album, ‘Sophisticated Swing’. Cannonball later introduced Jimmy to Miles Davis and he replaced Philly Joe Jones in the Miles Davis sextet. He remained with Miles through 1963. He played on six albums, including the now legendary, ‘Kind of Blue’.
Hear and see the transcription of Jimmy Cobb’s fiery live performance of Ah-Leu-Cha with Miles Davis at Newport Jazz Festival 1958 in another article HERE
“It's impossible to overstate how much Jimmy’s playing, propelled that all-star group forward with delicate washes of cymbals and brush-stroked snare. This contributed to Kind of Blue's undeniable bounce and feel”. Cobb's strength was always understatement, which meant that he didn't necessarily get the same accolades and attention as some of his peers behind the kit. But his simplicity and intuitive feel made Cobb's grooves a seamless part of any band's living organism, its backbone or heartbeat. Jimmy’s willingness to play a supporting role showcased his unmatched ability to find the beauty in the background”.
– Natalie Weiner
From 1963 to 1968 Jimmy worked with The Wynton Kelly Trio… From 1962 to 1965 he was a member of the Wes Montgomery group. In 1959, Cobb played on the debut Wayne Shorter album ‘Introducing Wayne Shorter’, and appeared on many albums by John Coltrane, including ‘Giant Steps’ in 1960.
In 1983, Jimmy Cobb led an all-star group on the album ‘So Nobody Else Can Hear’. It featured, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, guitarist Steve Khan, with Pee Wee Ellis and Dave Liebman on saxophone. In 1998, Jimmy released ‘Cobb’s Mob’, with guitarist Peter Bernstein, pianist Richard Wyands and bassist John Webber. The same group returned in 2003 with ‘Cobb’s Groove’. He then followed up with 2007’s Cobb’s Corner.
In 2009, Jimmy was the recipient of the National Endowment of the Arts Jazz Master Award… Commemorating the 50th anniversary of that Miles Davis’s masterpiece, ‘Kind of Blue’. Miles’ album is considered the most acclaimed and best-selling jazz album of all-time selling over five million copies. Davis told Cobb before the recording session. "Just make it sound like it's floating." At the time of Jimmy’s passing he was the only surviving member of Miles’ seminal group that produced the timeless classic.
In 2008, Jimmy received the Don Redman Heritage Award. He was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2011 as one of the last great drummers who defined the post-bop style of the 1950s and ’60’s.
Cobb’s last album as a leader ‘Remembering U’ proved that even at age 90, he was still swinging hard. Jimmy’s seven decades list of recording credits reads like an expansive Who’s Who of Jazz History. Jimmy was the consummate accompanist, timekeeper, soloist and a dynamic bandleader.
“We just lost a hero!!! I didn't know Mr. Cobb very well but he hired me to appear at one of his clinics in Perugia and we hung out after. I lent him one of my drum sets when somebody stole his set out of a van. Lenny White brought him to one of my gigs. Jeff Pittson and I drove him to New Jersey for a tribute to Buster Williams where we all got to play . We also got to visit… Jimmy was always a gentleman. To me, I have been listening to him for most my life and I ain't no spring chicken. I once did a Downbeat Magazine blindfold test and said, who is that young guy trying to sound like the old cats?… It was Jimmy. He called me with - ha ha ha ha ha… I danced to his grooves, listened to him over, and over, and over since the late 1950's until right up to this moment. I woke up at 2:30 am and chanted for him to have a smooth and wonderful transition. I got so much joy, info, and lessons in groove, and will for the rest of my life from your numerous contributions - which are huge!! A HERO!!!!! THANK YOU FOR INFINITY MR. COBB - NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO!!!”
– Mike Clark
“R.I.P. Jimmy Cobb - A beautiful human being, and one of the last of a great generation of musicians. The day I turned 18, I first met you at Birdland. I spoke to Pee Wee at the door and told him I was a drummer, he brought you over to say hello and you were so very gracious, shaking my hand and saying a few words to me. Many years later you came to Berklee College to do a clinic. When I asked you a question you replied using my name. You remembered me after all those years… I will miss you dearly Mr. Cobb”.
– Bob Kaufman
“One of the most influential drummers of all time has passed. Jimmy Cobb, I have listened to you on ‘Kind Of Blue’ so many times when my head needed calming down and straightening out and uplifting”.
– George Lawrence
“Jimmy Cobb was a hero of mine, and one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. He let me sub for him with the Nat Adderley Quintet when I was 14 years old, an experience that really propelled my entry into the professional jazz world. I’m honored to have known him and he will be greatly missed”.
– Terri Lyne Carrington
“Remembering those who gave all… Remembering those who are still giving all… and remembering the great Jimmy Cobb who helped change all”.
– Todd Sucherman
“One of my biggest thrills as a writer was speaking to Mr. Jimmy Cobb a couple of times and hearing his first person accounts of the great music he helped make with John Coltrane, the Adderley brothers, Miles Davis, and many others. What an amazing legacy. It was always a kick to scroll past his number in my address book. Condolences to the Cobb family”…
–Jon Cohan
“R.I.P. Jimmy Cobb and condolences to his family. We last played in December 2019 at Dazzle in Denver... (maybe it was his last gig), so I know first-hand that indeed, he went out swingin' - A most gentle and compassionate man”.
– Randy Brecker
“Jimmy Cobb.... Thanks for what you gave us all - R.I.P.”
– Adam Nussbaum
Jimmy Cobb played the beat that defined what "jazz" and "swinging" and "cool" meant to more people than any other drummer I can think of. Color the world of music Kind of Blue today with his passing.
– Peter Erskine
To Purchase Jimmy’s ‘Remembering U’ CD:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/jimmycobb23
Publicity & Media Inquiries
Scott Thompson PR