Legendary Panamanian Drummer Billy Cobham Rolls On

The Jazz scene with  Ken Grady

IN PANAMA, as well as America, homegrown jazz greats are not that well known to their own countrymen and women, even after gaining international acclaim. One of the countless examples of this phenomenon is Panamanian American jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader William Emanuel “Billy” Cobham.

Cobhamwas born on May 16, 1944 in Panama. Growing up in New York City, he was a drummer from his youth. As a child he was surrounded by music. His father played piano, his mother was a vocalist, there were always several musical instruments in the home, and family friends like Dizzy and Dexter Gordon would just drop by regularly …  just for kicks.

Cobham graduated from the High School of Music and Art in 1962. After 3 years in the Army playing with US Army Band, Cobham joined piano maestro, Horace Silver, and also played with tenor sax giant, Stanley Turrentine, organistShirley Scott, and guitaristGeorge Benson.

All Music Magazinedescribed Cobham as fusion music’s greatest drummer for his open-handed lead style, his power and precision. He rose in prominence by recording and playing extensively with Miles Davis. Working with Davis elevated Cobham internationally, as one would expect.

He toured with Miles during the early ’70’s, and later collaborated with guitarist John McLaughlin on therelease,“My Goals Beyond”. He would become a founding member of the “Mahavishnu Orchestra”, with McLaughlin, before launching his solo career. During this period Cobham also worked with the Brecker Brothers, and guitarists, John Abercrombie and Carlos Santana.

Billy Cohham has released more than 30 recordings, including “Crosswinds” and “Total Eclipse” both in 1974. And, he has a dozen filmography projects to his credit.

In 1980’s Cobham joined the band, Jack Bruce &Friends. Bruce, a bassist & vocalist, was part of the British rock trio Cream, along with guitarist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker in the 60’s and 70’s. After the breakup of Cream, both Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker turned their talents to Jazz.

In 1981 Cobham formed the band, Billy Cobham’s Glass Menagerie, featuring guitarist, Mike Sternand violinist, Michal Urbaniak. The group released 2 albums. From 1984 to 1994 the, always creative, Billy Cobham played with such diverse artists as Stanley Clark, The Grateful Dead, Larry Carlson, saxman & guitar rockerJimmy Herring, and Weather Reports’s Alphonso Johnson.

A number of solo albums were released as Cobham continued to perform and teach. In 2006, he released Drum’n’Voice2which represented a return to the jazz-funk sound of the 70’s. On this release Billy worked with drummer Buddy Miles, and bassist John Patitucci, among others.

In 2011 Billy Cobham began teaching drums online through the Billy Cobham School of Drums. That same year hebegan working with acclaimed Jordanian guitarist, Kamal Musallam. The pair would later release the album, “Rock the Tabla”.

Always the eternal student though, Billy Cobham continues to learn. He is not looking to repeat the past, proclaiming, “If you see something I’ve done, and you like it, it’s yours. Take it. It’s not mine anymore”

Billy Cobham’s 2014 release, “Tales From the Skeleton Coast” is on theCreative Multimedia Concepts label. Check it out!

Billy’s last appearance at the PJF was in 2007. Let’s petition Danilo and Patricia to bring him back!

To keep up with Billy Cobham’s work and music go to: billycobham.com