JIMMY Cobb, a Jazz icon and famed Miles Davis drummer, has died of lung cancer aged 91.
According to his wife, Eleana Tee Cobb, Wilbur James “Jimmy” Cobb passed away in his home in Manhattan on Sunday, NPR reported.
Jimmy was the last surviving member of Miles Davis' First Great Sextet Credit: Getty - Contributor
Jimmy Cobb is pictured drumming in November 2009 Credit: Getty - Contributor
Jimmy Cobb arrives at the Miles Davis - Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Celebration in December 2008 Credit: Getty Images
Cobb, the last surviving member of Miles Davis' First Great Sextet, was born in Washington, D.C. on January 20, 1929.
Before his career took off, Cobb grew up listening to jazz albums and disc jockey Symphony Sid in New York City.
In Miles Davis' iconic "Kind of Blue" album, Cobb was the drummer - and played with saxophonists Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane; pianists Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly; bassist Paul Chambers; and trumpeter Davis.
Cobb has played drums for Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan, among others.
Earlier this year, Cobb's daughter, Serena, created a GoFundMe for her father as they decided to care for him with an out-of-pocket holistic approach for his medical needs.
"For the past 2 years he’s been dealing with some medical issues that have been causing severe challenges for him physically.
"Unfortunately he has been unable to receive proper treatment due to financial struggles," Serena wrote in the fundraiser, which raised nearly $100,000.
She added: "We’ve chosen a holistic approach which requires 100% out of pocket coverage for both treatment and visits, as it isn't covered by insurance. He is also currently in need of a full time care giver."
Jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb is pictured drumming in NYC on May 26, 2014 Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Jimmy Cobb, left, stands with the owner of Innovation Drums Steve Badalament, drummer Lenny White, bassist Stanley Clarke, and his son Chris Clarke at Miles Davis - Kind of Blue: 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2008 Credit: Getty Images
Jimmy Cobb is pictured drumming in the 1970s
In a 2019 interview with FOX 5, when speaking about the start of his drumming profession, Cobb said: "I figured it was something I'd like to do.
"And when I learned enough to do it, I figured that would be what I would do for the rest of my life."
Cobb was previously indicted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.
According to the PAS, Cobb freelanced with a range of artists throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s.
Some of those artists were Sonny Stitt, Nat Adderley, Hank Jones, Ron Carter, George Coleman, David “Fathead” Newman, the Great Jazz Trio, Nancy Wilson, Dave Holland, and Warren Bernhardt.
Cobb freelanced with a range of artists throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s. Credit: AFP - Getty
Cobb has played drums for Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Pearl Bailey, Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan, among others Credit: Getty Images - Getty
PAS Hall of Fame member Jack DeJohnette said: “The first time I heard Jimmy was on Kind of Blue... and what got my attention was his touch and keen sense of dynamics.
"You can always count on Jimmy to provide the right support for whatever the music or musicians call for. That’s why Jimmy was and is always called upon by the greats in jazz and will always be respected by the community.
"Also, he is a really good human being, and I am happy to know him.”
Following the news of Cobb's death, musician Ted Gioia tweeted: "This is a devastating loss—the death of a beloved musician, but also the end of an era, as we lose the last surviving member of a historic ensemble."
In 1960, Miles Davis performs onstage with his bass player Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb at the Apollo Theater in NYCCredit: Getty Images - Getty
