Call Cobbs Jr.

Harvey Call Cobbs Jr. (January 30, 1911 – September 21, 1971),[1] known as Call Cobbs, was an American jazz pianist, electric harpsichordist, and organist. He is remembered for his work with saxophonist Albert Ayler in the mid- and late-1960s.

Biography

Cobbs was born in Urbana, Ohio,[1][2] to Harvey Call Cobbs Sr. and Ethel Hill Cobbs. His father, known as Harry Cobbs, was a church janitor.[3]

In his youth, Cobbs served as companion and guide to the pianist Art Tatum and later accompanied Billie Holiday and replaced Hampton 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.

He is best remembered for his work 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.[4] 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.[4][5] (Ayler's parents also came from Cleveland to identify the body.)

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

Discography

With Albert Ayler

With John Coltrane

  • First Giant Steps. Rare Live Recordings

With Johnny Hodges

With Jack McVea

  • Two Timin' Baby (Juke Box Lil)

With Jimmy Rushing

  • 1946–1953 (Jazz Classics)
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References
  1. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
  2. Ohio, Birth Index, 1908-1964
  3. 1930 United States Federal Census
  4. Schwartz, Jeff. (1992)"Albert Ayler: His Life and Music". Archived from the original on 2009-08-09. Retrieved 2010-10-14.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link) . Accessed July 2, 2007.
  5. Morton, Brian. (November 4, 2004) Flowers for Albert: Albert Ayler. The Nation. Accessed July 2, 2007.

Sources
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