By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/25/2016
"When I was young my mom had a job working in a local pharmacy that had a food counter; she got me a job there and I started earning money. I walked past Herman Rednor's Music Store every day and he had a sign in the window advertising this Gene Krupa drum set. I went inside and he said, "You have any money? You got a job?" I said, "Yes sir I have a job" and I gave him all of the money that I had and he kept it in his drawer and every week after I got paid I'd stop and give him my money. It took me a while but I got that drum set, a "Slingerland" drum kit just Like Krupa had."
Those are the words of the great jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb as he spoke of his long and storied career as he prepares to be honored at the South Orange PAC on Saturday November 26 as part of "Giants Of Jazz 19." "I'm kind of curious to see what's going to happen with this," said a laughing Cobb. "I have a friend of mine who is a bass player and he's giving a festival there and I guess that he decided to honor me, I don't know but it should be fun."
From humble beginnings, Cobb grew into greatness and has performed and/or worked with luminaries such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Dizzy Guillespie, Sara Vaughn and more. "I grew up in a neighborhood in Washington, DC and had a friend who, as a hobby, collected jazz records. So he and I would sit around and listen to these great records from people like Billy Eckstein and some big bands and we'd bang on the sides of the table and that's how I got interested in playing the drums."
Cobb got "Interested" and successful relatively quick; for his professional career seemed to start only scant years after the purchase of that first drum set from Mr. Rednor. "I started playing a round town and had this friend named Keter Betts who used to play in this club across from the old Variety Club in town. The lady who owned the club was smart enough to have trios perform there and whenever Keter would come through town he asked me to perform with him and we'd usually have a piano player who'd join us or sit in. From there I started sitting in with people like Lady D and Billie Holiday and oh I don't know, with a lot of others and then with the Frank West Quartet and Charlie Ross Quartet. Charlie had a be-bop quartet and I learned a lot from him and then I went on the road with Dizzy's band but my first real experiences with recording and the road were with a fella by the name of Earl Bostic. I did my first record with him, we met on the corner of 125th and St. Michael's Avenue and then I went on tour with him at the age of 21 years old; we went everywhere and I gained a lot of experience."
That experience took Cobb down many roads, one of which ran through Philadelphia, PA and a meeting that would link him to one of the greatest of all time; Miles Davis. "I was in Philadelphia and ran into Miles through a DJ that used to play be-bopper records. Miles and I started performing together and I also met Charlie Parker through him; you know him right? Also met Milt Jackson and we started playing together now and again; a lot of us be-bop guys met that way."
Saturday at 8 p.m., John Lee & Jazz Legacy Productions will honor Cobb with a cast of performers including Emmet Cohen, Cyrus Chestnut, Roberta Gamarini, TS Monk and more as they bring the SOPAC to life with the sounds of jazz and his career. Tickets range from $50-$60 and can be purchased at the SOPAC box office or online at www.sopacnow.org.
"I don't know what to expect," says a curious Cobb. "I'll do what needs to be done. I'm not sure whether it'll be a trio with piano and bass or whatever but we'll get it done."
What advice does a man like Cobb offer from his over seven decades of performing? "Do what you keep doing. If you love it, keep doing it; we all need to do what we enjoy."
To discover more about Jimmy Cobb or his current group Jimmy Cobb's Mob, please go to www.jimmycobb.com
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Larry D
Sat. 8 p.m. After Dark
Artworks Trenton19 Everett Alley Trenton
(609) 394-9436
Sat. (12 p.m.) Mixed Media Art Ornament Party for Youth (1:30 p.m.) Mixed Media Art Ornament Party for Teens
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Fri. 7 p.m. Perfect Chaos, Reach Orenda, (TBA). All ages, $10
Sat. 5 p.m. Dayshell, Spoken, Doing Better, Surrender The Night, For Those Who Fail, Perrenial, Red Coat. All ages, $12/$15
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Fermenters Trio
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Lee Hogans Trumpet Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Cedar Gardens Banquet Hall661 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 931-9464
Sat. 8 p.m. "Comedy Night" feat. Joe Bub, Dena Blizzard , Joe Devito. Doors at 7 p.m., $25
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. Live Band Karaoke w/ The Golden Boyz
Sat. 9 p.m. "Comedy Night"
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie and Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (8 p.m.) The Mix
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (4 p.m.) Gino Turchi (9 p.m.) Lenny G & The Soulsenders
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (4 p.m.) Jeff Selby
Wed. 8 p.m. Mark Macmanus
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 8 p.m. Full Grown Men
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Lefty Mann
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Bigg Romeo
Sat. 7 p.m. Christine Martucci. Doors at 5 p.m., $25
Sun. 3 p.m. Ladies 2000
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local Original Music Series" Hosted by Pat Foran feat. Sharon Lia Band
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. (Closed for Thanksgiving)
Fri. 6 p.m. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Sat. 6 p.m. Silent Q
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Alix Paul w/ Jeffrey Fadden
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Gregg Parker & Grousers
Sat. 1 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Sun. 1 p.m. Bob & Jess
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
Sat. 9 p.m. Soul Custody
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. (Closed for Thanksgiving
Sat. 1 p.m. Jim Gaven
Sun. 1 p.m. The Bergers
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girl's Night Out" / "Inspire Your Desires" The Art of Chocolate and Wine
Logan Inn10 West Ferry Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2300
Fri. 7 p.m. Russell Norkevich
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider (Returns next week 12/1)
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. "Beer Pong"
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 10 p.m. The Randy Harris Trio
Sat. 10 p.m. The Dab Nebula
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
PANJ RadioBridge Street Lambertville
(609) 460-4673
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Lisa Bouchelle
Pasquale's Bar9078 Mill Creek Road Levittown, PA
(267) 202-6268
Fri. 9:30 p.m. "DJ Dance Party"
Sat. 9 p.m. "DJ Dance party w/ Live Band"
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. Richie Cole
Sat. 8 p.m. DiRty ReD
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. 80's Undercover
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Mark Sacco
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Fri. 11 a.m. "Record Store Day"
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) "Save The Cave" Benefit Show feat. Bigger Thomas. $12 (Suggested Donation) This show takes place at Hope Hose Humane Co. #1 located at 150 West Burlington Street Bordentown (10 p.m.) After Party at Man Cave
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Chris Harford and The Band of Changes
South Rio120 South Warren Street Trenton
(609) 943-2123
Thurs. 7 p.m. "All You Can eat Crabs." Music, Drink Specials, Sports on TV
Tues. "$2 Tuesday"
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night
Sat. 8 p.m. Richie Cole Christmas
Sun. 3 p.m. "The Wright Brothers" (Musical Play Plus Talkback)
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Sideways Willy
Sat. 9 p.m. Pop Comics
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Smoked Ice
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Entertainment
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. Rick Winow & Danny Coleman
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. (Closed for Thanksgiving)
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Joe Vadala Trio
Sat. 9 p.m. ArHouse
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. J Spirit Walker
Sat. 9 p.m. All Fired Up Party Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
The Temperance House5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Fri. 7 p.m. (TBA)
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin McCloskey & Billy Walsh
Sat 9 p.m. The Williamsboy
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Chestnut Grove. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Kings & Comrades. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
