Arnett Cobb

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Arnett Cobb in the Duisburg Filmforum, around 1987

Arnett Cobb (born August 10, 1918 as Arnette Cleophus Cobbs in Houston / Texas , † March 24, 1989 ibid) was an American jazz saxophonist.

Life

Arnette Cleophus received violin lessons as a child after his mother gave him a violin. His grandmother gave him piano lessons. In Houston he attended Wheatley High School and tried to play in the school band there. But since the violin could hardly be heard through the other instruments, the head of the band recommended that he try a saxophone. He learned the instrument quite quickly, only to practice he had to find a suitable room in the Fifth Ward in Houston "where he would not disturb anyone and he would blow" his daughter Lizette Cobb later recalled. He became a professional musician in 1933 and began his career as a member of Frank Davis ' band and then with Chester Boone for two years(1906–1988) to play. In 1936 he moved to Milt Larkin (1910-1996), where he stayed for six years. In 1942 he was the successor of Illinois Jacquet (1922-2004) in Lionel Hamptons Orchestra. His version of Flying Home No. 2 with Hamptons band became a world hit.

Arnett Cobb and Lionel Hampton performing at the New York jazz club Aquarium, around June 1946.
Photo: William P. Gottlieb .

In 1947 Cobb formed his own band. He played several hits, such as "Dutch Kitchen Bounce", "Go Red Go", "Big League Blues", "Jumpin 'the Blues" or "Smooth Sailing" and developed his performances further, played through the audience and tried them out Circular breathing . His career was interrupted by a serious car accident in 1956 and subsequent multiple spinal operations. Because of his accident, he was only able to walk on crutches. It wasn't until 1959 that he started playing on stage again. In the 1960s he led various bands of his own in Texas. He also supported young musicians in particular, including saxophonist Shelly Carrol. In 1963 he played an album at the Houston Sugar Recording Studios called "Welcome Back: A Love Letter to Houston". But these recordings were lost at the time and were only found in an archive a few years ago through biographical research on the music and life of Arnett Cobb. On the occasion of his 100th birthday in 2018, his daughter Lizette (born November 1st, 1956) and his grandson Shae intend to release this album, now this "Welcome Back ..." in a double sense. Since 1973 Arnett Cobb played more and more recordings and went on major tours. In the same year he received a Grammy nomination for best jazz instrumentalist. A 1978 New York Times concert report stressed that Cobb "continues to play with undiminished fervor and skill." During this time, his daughter Lizzete temporarily took over the management for her father in order to relieve him. Out of gratitude, he dedicated the song "My Lizette" - a ballad - to her. In 1987 he made live recordings at the Wortham Center with trumpeter Dizzy Gilleste (1917-1993) and singer Jeweil Brown (born 1937) from Houston, who also played in Louis Armstrong's ensemble. Several tours also took him to Europe, for example with Jimmy Heath (born 1926) and Joe Henderson (1937-2001).

Act

Arnett Cobb did not make the breakthrough into the first league of jazz saxophonists due to his illnesses. Because of his distinctive, earthy saxophone playing, however, he was an often booked sidemen of big big bands. Numerous tours have also taken him to international music stages. He was particularly popular in Italy and Scandinavia. Arnett Cobb, whose robust playing style is reminiscent of Herschel Evans and Illinois Jacquet, can be heard in particular on records by Herbie Fields , Hampton, Wynonie Harris and Roy Milton , as well as on a number of recordings under his own name.

Current

On the occasion of the 100th birthday of Arnett Cobb, several bands in Houston are organizing a musical festival "Cobb Trubut" in the city of Houston. The host will be Tierney Malone - an artist and poet originally from Alabama, now residing in Houston. "You don't hear enough (today) about this brother (meaning Arnett Cobb)," Tierney had signaled to Malone. “So we'll do our part to let people know how important it was.” As a special treasure, the 1963 album “Welcome Back: A Love Letter to Houston”, recorded by Arnett Cobb and believed to be lost, will also be celebrated for the first time are available to the public.

Discographic notes

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. a b Andrew Dansby: Houston celebrates jazz legend Arnett Cobb's 100th birthday with music. In: houstonchronicle.com. August 5, 2018, accessed on August 21, 2018 .
  2. a b Andrew Dansby: Treasure unearthed from late Houston jazz legend. In: houstonchronicle.com. March 29, 2018, accessed August 21, 2018 .