Artist:Billy Cobham
Song:Quadrant 4
Album:Spectrum
Drummer Billy Cobham is one of the most important figures of the jazz fusion movement of the early 70s. And he is also beloved by other drummers because of his power and creativity. He was born May 16, 1944 in Panama and moved to New York City with his family at age 3. He started playing drums at an early age and graduated from New York's High School Of Music & Art in 1962. After a three year stint in the US Army Band, piano legend Horace Silver hired him in 1968. It was here that he met trumpeter Randy Brecker. The two left the Silver band in 1969 and formed the jazz rock group Dreams with Randy's brother Mike Brecker, Barry Rogers & John Abercrombie. Meanwhile, Cobham got the attention of Miles Davis and was a big part of Live-Evil & the Jack Johnson soundtrack. It was here that he met guitarist John McLaughlin and joined McLaughlin's very popular Mahavishnu Orchestra. This is probably where a lot of fans first heard Cobham. He signed a solo contract with Atlantic and Spectrum was his first album in 1973. He brought with him keyboardist Jan Hammer from Mahavishnu and also introduced guitarist Tommy Bolin to the world. He was from the group Zephyr and went on to play in Deep Purple. Bassists Lee Sklar & Ron Carter, sax player Joe Farrell, guitarist John Tropea and percusionist Ray Baretto also appear. The album was a huge hit but Cobham & Bolin never toured together. Among others, he recruited the Brecker Brothers & John Abercrombie for his touring band. Billy Cobham would continue to have success in the 70s and had a long musical relationship with George Duke. Billy Cobham is still touring and he hasn't given up one iota of his legendary power in his playing. He's always been a fitness freak anyway and doesn't look his age. Spectrum is a must for fusion fans and drummers. Here's Billy Cobham performing in Montreux 1974 with Randy Brecker on trumpet, Mike Brecker on sax, Barry Rogers on trombone & John Abercrombie on guitar.
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