Arnett Cleophus Cobb was born on August 10, 1918, and passed away on March 24, 1989. He was an American tenor saxophonist, often called the "Wild Man of the Tenor Sax" because of his free and energetic playing style. Cobb wrote both the words and music for the jazz song "Smooth Sailing," which was released in 1951. Ella Fitzgerald recorded this song for Decca Records on her album Lullabies of Birdland.
Biography
He was born in Houston, Texas, and learned to play the piano from his grandmother. Later, he studied the violin and began playing the tenor saxophone in his high school band. At 15 years old, he joined a band led by Frank Davis in Louisiana. During the summer, he performed shows in Houston and other parts of Louisiana.
Cobb worked with the bands of trumpeter Chester Boone from 1934 to 1936 and with Milt Larkin from 1936 to 1942, including a time on the West Coast with Floyd Ray. His bandmates in the Larkin band included Illinois Jacquet, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Tom Archia, Cedric Haywood, and Wild Bill Davis. In 1939, Cobb refused an offer to join Count Basie. Instead, he joined Lionel Hampton’s band in 1942 and stayed with Hampton until 1947. His solo performance on Hampton’s song "Flying Home No. 2" caused a lot of excitement, and his loud and powerful style earned him the nickname "Wild Man of the Tenor Sax."
In 1950, Cobb started his own seven-piece band but became very sick and needed spinal surgery. After recovering, he restarted the band, but in 1956, a car crash interrupted its success. This accident had long-lasting effects on his health, including time in the hospital and the need to always use crutches. Despite this, Cobb continued to perform as a soloist in the United States and abroad during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1988, he played with musicians Jimmy Heath and Joe Henderson in Europe.
He died in his hometown of Houston at the age of 70 in 1989.
Discography
- 1943–47: The Wild Man of the Tenor Sax, 1943–1947 (EPM Musique)
- 1946–47: The Chronological Arnett Cobb, 1946–1947 (Classics)
- 1947: Arnett Blows for 1300 (Delmark) 1994 collection of Apollo recordings
- 1959: Blow Arnett, Blow (Prestige) also released as Go Power!!!
- 1959: Smooth Sailing (Prestige)
- 1959: Party Time (Prestige)
- 1959: Very Saxy (Prestige) with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Coleman Hawkins and Buddy Tate
- 1960: More Party Time (Prestige)
- 1960: Movin' Right Along (Prestige)
- 1960: Sizzlin' (Prestige)
- 1960: Ballads by Cobb (Moodsville)
- 1973: Again with Milt Buckner, with Milt Buckner, Clarence Brown and Michael Silva (Black & Blue)
- 1974: Arnett Cobb and Tiny Grimes Quintet, Live in Paris (Esoldun – INA)
- 1974–76: The Wild Man from Texas (Black & Blue)
- 1978: Arnett Cobb Is Back (Progressive)
- 1978: Live at Sandy's! (Muse)
- 1980: Tenor Abrupt, at (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions) with Guy Lafitte (Black & Blue)
- 1981: Funky Butt (Progressive)
- 1982: Arnett Cobb Live (in Holland) (Timeless)
- 1984: Keep on Pushin' (Bee Hive)
- 1987: Show Time, with Dizzy Gillespie and Jewel Brown (Fantasy)
- 1988: Tenor Tribute (in Germany), with Jimmy Heath and Joe Henderson (Soul Note)
- 1988: Tenor Tribute, Volume 2 (in Germany), with Jimmy Heath and Joe Henderson (Soul Note)
- Ruth Brown (Atlantic, 1957)
- Miss Rhythm (Atlantic, 1959)
- Live at Sandy's (Muse, 1978 [1980])
With Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
- Live at Sandy's (Muse, 1978 [1981])
- Hold It Right There! (Muse, 1978 [1984])
- Listen Here (Texas Rose, 1984)