Billy Cobham

Born: 1944-05-16

William Emanuel Cobham Jr. (born May 16, 1944) is a Panamanian–American jazz drummer who came to prominence in the late 1960s and early 1970s with trumpeter Miles Davis and then with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. According to AllMusic, Cobham is generally acclaimed as fusion's greatest drummer. He was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013. AllMusic biographer Steve Huey said, "Generally acclaimed as fusion's greatest drummer, Billy Cobham's explosive technique powered some of the genre's most important early recordings – including groundbreaking efforts by Miles Davis and the Mahavishnu Orchestra – before he became an accomplished bandleader in his own right. At his best, Cobham harnessed his amazing dexterity into thundering, high-octane hybrids of jazz complexity and rock & roll aggression." Cobham's influence stretched far beyond jazz, including on progressive rock contemporaries like Bill Bruford of King Crimson and Danny Carey of Tool. Prince played a version of Cobham's Stratus in concert. Phil Collins, who named Mahavishnu Orchestra's The Inner Mounting Flame as a key influence on his early style said, "Billy Cobham played some of the finest drumming I've ever heard on that record."


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Mahavishnu Orchestra - Live In France 1972

as Self (drums)
Released: 1972-08-23

The original line-up of the one of the most important jazz-rock fusion groups of all time,...

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Quincy Jones : 75th Birthday Celebration Live at Montreux

as Self
Released: 2008-07-14

When an artist of the stature of Quincy Jones celebrates his 75th birthday you can be sure it's...

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Herbie Hancock Trio: Hurricane!

as Self - Drums
Released: 1984-01-01

Three masters explore their roots and capture the full spectrum of the art of Jazz...a display...

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Jazz Legends: Billy Cobham Live At The Palais Des Festivals Hall Cannes 1989

as Self
Released: 2006-02-20

Only a few times in history has a musician been singled out as the world-class master of his...

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World of Rhythm: Live in Lugano

as Self
Released: 2002-11-19

Music legends Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Billy Cobham team up to form the World of Rhythm in...

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Common Ground Inspiration Drum DVD

as Self
Released: 2005-01-01

nspirational, motivational, informational, and generational, this DVD features stunning...

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Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie: Live in Riazzino, Switzerland

as Self
Released: 2005-10-18

Cobham performs with Michal Urbaniak, Mike Stern, Gil Goldstein, and Tim Landers. Each artist...

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John McLaughlin & Billy Cobham: Live at Montreux 2010

as Self - drums
Released: 2010-07-02

Two original members of Mahavishnu Orchestra reunite for a live concert in Montreux in 2010

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Billy Cobham - Live At Nancy Jazz Pulsation 2011

as Self - drums
Released: 2011-10-10

Billy Cobham 5tet. - Live at Nancy Jazz Pulsation 2011 Billy Cobham - drums Jean Marie Ecay -...

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Billy Cobham - Culturemix Live at The New Morning, Paris

as Self
Released: 2002-01-01

Billy Cobham was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1987[1] and the Classic...

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Billy Cobham's: New Morning The Paris Concert

as Self
Released: 2005-01-01

This is clearly underlined in the live recording made in September 2002 at the Paris New Morning...

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Le Grand Échiquier

as Self
First aired: 1972-01-12

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