Call Cobbs, Jr.

Call Cobbs, Jr. (also billed as Call Cobbs Jr. and Call Cobbs) (b. Springfield, Ohio, United States, 1910 or 1911; died September 21, 1971) was an American jazz pianist, electric harpsichordist, and organist.

Biography

Although Cobbs was a veteran musician, Cobbs' recorded output is fairly small.

He worked most notably with the free jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler from 1964 through 1970, playing piano, rocksichord, and electronic organ in live performances and recordings. He also acted as Ayler's copyist and musical director.Schwartz, Jeff. (1992) [http://www.geocities.com/jeff_l_schwartz/chpt5.html Albert Ayler: His Life and Music] . Accessed July 2,2007.] When Ayler's body was found floating in the East River in New York City on November 25,1970, Cobbs was called upon to identify the body. [Morton, Brian. (November 4,2004) [http://www.thenation.com/doc/20041122/morton/2 Flowers for Albert: Albert Ayler] . "The Nation". Accessed July 2,2007.] (Ayler's parents also came from Cleveland to identify the body.)

In his youth, Cobbs served as companion and guide to the pianist Art Tatum and later accompanied Billie Holiday and replaced Hamp Hawes in the band of Wardell Gray. Cobbs also worked and recorded with the alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges in 1954, when Hodges' band included John Coltrane. He studied the Schillinger System of musical composition.

Cobbs was killed by a hit and run driver on September 21, 1971. He died at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx, New York. He was 60 years old.

Discography

*Ayler, Albert (1965). "Spirits Rejoice". Esp-Disc
*Ayler, Albert (1967). "Love Cry". Impulse!
*Ayler, Albert (1968). "New Grass". Impulse!
*Ayler, Albert (1970). "Nuits de la Fondation Maeght, Vol. 1". Water
*Ayler, Albert (2004). "Holy Ghost: Rare and Unissued Recordings (1962-70)". Revenant
*Coltrane, John. "First Giant Steps". Rare Live Recordings
*Hodges, Johnny (1954). "The Jeep is Jumpin".
*Hodges, Johnny (1995). "Passion Flower: 1940-1946". Bluebird/RCA
*Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra (1954). "Used to Be Duke". Verve
*McVea, Jack. "Two Timin' Baby". Juke Box Lil
*Rushing, Jimmy. "1946-1953". Jazz Classics

References

ources

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0vfrxqr5ldje~T4 Call Cobbs: Credits] . Allmusic. Accessed July 2,2007.
*"Final Bar." "Downbeat", November 11, 1971: p. 9.