Todd Cochran

Todd Cochran (born September 3, 1951) is an American pianist, composer, keyboardist, essayist, and conceptual artist. Early in his career he was also professionally known as Bayeté. Cochran started his career as a teenager with saxophonist John Handy. Two years later he joined vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson’s He was keyboardist and lead singer of Automatic Man from 1976 - 1978. He was also a member of Fuse One, a coalition of jazz musicians who released two albums on CTI Records in 1980 and 1981.

Youth Pianist and composer Todd Cochran was born in San Francisco ” is discussed in the book “Listen Whitey” by author, culture historian, and music reissue producer Pat Thomas. Worlds Around The Sun was reissued on the Omnivore label (2014). Cochran also composed the score for a documentary film about Angela Davis, Ain’t It Slick by Independent filmmaker/director Francisco Newman. A second, more experimental, and transitional solo album for Prestige, Seeking Other Beauty followed.

Also elaborating on the zeitgeist of the period was the composition "Eternal Worlds" that Cochran (aka Bayeté) wrote and was the pianist for trombonist Julian Priester’s album Love, Love (ECM). Automatic Man and Art Rock Cochran’s early career in the Bay Area jazz scene was influenced by a trend of blending genres and crossing traditional boundaries. This environment led him to explore avant-garde and freeform music, marked by spontaneous improvisations. His compositions evolved into simpler structures that incorporated electric keyboards and synthetic sounds, creating pieces that explored atmospheric and conceptual themes.

Collaboration became a key part of Cochran’s approach, adapting to diverse roles across projects. His partnership with Michael Shrieve of Santana led to the formation of Automatic Man, along with guitarist, Pat Thrall and bassist Doni Harvey. Automatic Man was a band known for its fusion of rock and jazz elements, which developed a lasting underground following. This project, recorded in London, introduced Cochran to the progressive rock scene, where he worked with artists including Jim Capaldi (Traffic), Bill Bruford (Yes), Phil Collins’ fusion band, Brand X, and The Real Thing.

Back in Los Angeles, Cochran recorded Automatic Man’s second album, Visitors, with new members Jerome Rimson and Glenn Symmonds. He later returned to England to join Peter Gabriel’s band; touring, and additionally recording on the Robert Fripp. Cochran’s tenure in London concluded with a role in “PM,” a group formed with Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Filmography Additional Music/Arranging/Performing

(1) "The Spook Who Sat Behind The Door" in 2012 named to the National Film Registry as a work of enduring importance to American culture. Sept. 18, 2020 New York Film Festival

Discography (selected)

As solo artist 1972: Worlds Around the Sun (Prestige) 2014: Reissue (Omnivore) 1973: Seeking Other Beauty (Prestige) 1991: TODD (Vital) 1997: Secret Places (Sony BMG) 1998: Melrose Place Soundtrack, She Is Gentle Rain (Sony BMG) 1999: A Voice In The Forest, Colour Naturelle (Natural Color) (Sony BMG)

As collaborator 1971: Intensity - John Klemmer 1972: Head On - Bobby Hutcherson 1972: Iapetus - Hadley Caliman 1974: Love, Love - Julian Priester 1975: Rebirth Cycle - James Mtume 1976: Automatic Man - Automatic Man 1976: You to Me Are Everything - The Real Thing 1977: Visitors - Automatic Man 1977: Spellbound - Alphonso Johnson 1978: Peter Gabriel - Peter Gabriel 1979: Slug Line - John Hiatt 1979: I Wanna Play for You - Stanley Clarke 1979: Betcha - Stanley Turrentine 1979: Touching You, Touching Me - Airto Moreira 1980: 1:PM - PM 1980: Aretha - Aretha Franklin 1980: Fuse One - Fuse One 1981: America's Greatest Hero - Joey Scarbury 1982: H.A.T.E. Don't Live Here Anymore - Staple Singers 1982: Hollywood - Maynard Ferguson 1983: Home Again - Stanley Turrentine 1984: Sunrise - Paulinho Da Costa 1985: Put Sunshine in It – Arthur Blythe 1986: Headed For The Future - Neil Diamond 1987: Strawberry Moon - Grover Washington Jr. 1988: Out of Control - Dynasty 1989: Through The Moving Window - Juan Martin 1989: Times Are Changing - Freddie Hubbard 1991: Animal Logic II - Animal Logic 1993: Now and Then - Ernestine Anderson 1995: What´s Inside - Joan Armatrading 2000: The Friends - Fishbone 2004: Trios: East River Drive/Schooldays/Live at the Greek - Stanley Clarke 2005: Blue Note Plays Sting - Freddie Hubbard 2005: Robbery - Teena Marie 2005: Very Best of George Howard - George Howard 2007: Moodo Records Presents Guitarra de Pasion, Vol. 3 - Juan Carlos Quintero 2008: Believe It or Not: The Billy Griffin Collection - Billy Griffin