Arnett Cobb

Arnett Cleophus Cobb (August 10, 1918 – March 24, 1989) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, sometimes known as the "Wild Man of the Tenor Sax" because of his uninhibited stomping style. Cobb wrote the words and music for the jazz standard "Smooth Sailing", which Ella Fitzgerald recorded for Decca and later included on her album Lullabies of Birdland.

Biography Cobb (right) and Lionel Hampton, ; photo by William P. Gottlieb Born in Houston, Texas,

Cobb continued his musical career with the local bands of trumpeter Chester Boone, from 1934 to 1936, and Milt Larkin, from 1936 to 1942 (which included a period on the West Coast with Floyd Ray). Among his bandmates in the Larkin band were Illinois Jacquet, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Tom Archia, Cedric Haywood, and Wild Bill Davis. Having turned down an offer from Count Basie in 1939, Cobb replaced Jacquet in Lionel Hampton's band in 1942, staying with Hampton until 1947. Nevertheless, Cobb worked as a soloist through the 1970s and 1980s in the U.S. and abroad. As late as 1988 he played with Jimmy Heath and Joe Henderson in Europe.

He died in his native Houston, aged 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 compilation 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)

With Ruth Brown Ruth Brown (Atlantic, 1957) Miss Rhythm (Atlantic, 1959) With Buddy Tate Live at Sandy's (Muse, 1978 ) With Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson Live at Sandy's (Muse, 1978 ) Hold It Right There! (Muse, 1978 ) With Roseanna Vitro Listen Here (Texas Rose, 1984)