Few musicians have transformed a genre like Panama-born, New York-raised Billy Cobham.
SIX DAYS AT RONNIE SCOTT’S: Billy Cobham on Jazz Fusion and the Act of Creation, by Brian Gruber, is a one-of-a-kind oral history of a legend’s life work. From his early days with Horace Silver and Dreams to the epochal Bitches Brew sessions with Miles Davis to the breakthrough Mahavishnu Orchestra and beyond, here is a first-ever deep dive into six decades of musical innovation.
The book’s setting is six days at iconic London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s, as Britain’s hottest arranger Guy Barker orchestrates and leads a big band performing Cobham’s greatest works. Jazz greats such as Ron Carter, Randy Brecker, and Jan Hammer, family members, club owners, critics and superfans provide colorful insights and remembrances. Readers are given an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into rehearsals, performances, adjustments, and preparations between shows, and the evolution of a sold-out six-day run.
eBook | 255 Pages
Review from the jazz bible, Downbeat magazine:
“… an unusual and welcome addition to the jazz bibliography. It’s also a granular look at Cobham’s work and development… Gruber paints a fascinating sonic and emotional picture… Gruber is a strong interviewer, and his affection for Cobham’s music seems to have given him exceptional and unusually fruitful access to players in Cobham’s world… packed with illuminating anecdotes and commentary… While written by a jazz aficionado for other jazz aficionados – Cobham’s discussion of how and why he tunes his drums is quite technical – Six Days is also more broadly engaging… this vibrant and organic project… The book affirms Cobham’s status in modern jazz history, as well as making you wish you’d caught at least one of those gigs at Ronnie Scott’s. – Downbeat, Carlo Wolff