“Fusion’s greatest drummer” Billy Cobham is a living legend. He has played with Horace Silver and Miles Davis and is one of the most influental drummers worldwide. This week, Billy celebrates the 51st jubillee of this debut album “Spectrum” - just a few weeks before his 80th birthday.
Billy Cobham, dr
Gary Husband, keyb
Rocco Zifarelli, g
Michael Mondesir, b
Exclusive in Switzerland!
„Fusion’s Greatest Drummer“ William C. „Billy“ Cobham was born on May 16, 1944, in Panama. At age three, his family moved to New York City and at age eight Billy made his percussion performance debut with his father. After graduating Billy served as a percussionist in the U.S. Army National band, played as a drummer in pianist Horace Silver's band and toured the U.S. with him throughout the late 1960s. He then left to partake in Miles Davis' fusion ensemble where he can be heard on Davis classics such as 'Like-Evil' and 'A Tribute to Jack Johnson'. Eventually Cobham parted ways from Davis' group to work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, where he was able to further explore his technique and fusion style which influenced many for years to come. After deciding to part ways with the Orchestra, Cobham started his own band, Spectrum. Their debut album featured a mix of jazz, funk and rock that allowed Cobham to further experiment with percussion. In 1975, Cobham released "A Funky Thide of Sings" moving into commercial jazz exclusively. In 1977, Cobham signed to the CBS label which allowed him to reach the commercial success he had always wanted. Cobham focused on his opportunities as a session drummer and other side opportunities, such as drumming for the Grateful Dead's side project Bobby & the Midnites. In 1988, Cobham helped start a group called 'Jazz is Dead' which reprised Grateful Dead music with jazz iterations. In 2001 Cobham was named one of the 25 Most Influential Drummers by Modern Drummer magazine. He paved the way for future drummers by changing the way percussion is set up, the way it is played and enjoyed. In 2001 Cobham released "Drum 'n Voice 1" which was his return to the 1970s jazz-funk sound. In 2006 Cobham released "Drum 'n Voice 2" eventually to be followed in 2009 with "Drum 'n Voice 3". In 2018 Cobham toured across the US a performance series called "Crosswinds Project" which was his way of revisiting his second album, “Crosswinds”. Cobham continues to tour worldwide. Two years after his great success at the 47th International Jazzfesival Bern and just one month before his 80th birthday, Billy brings his “Spectrum 50 Band” to Marians Jazzroom. “Spectrum” was Billy’s 1973 debut album as a leader and this specific group is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Concerts
Tue. 16.04. - Sat. 20.04.2024
1st Concert 7:30 p.m.
(Doors 7:00 p.m.)
2nd concert 10:00 p.m.
(Doors 9:30 p.m.)
Venue
Marians Jazzroom
Admission
First Concert CHF 53.-
Second Concert CHF 43.–