<p><strong>In 2023, the worldwide 80th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Tour kicks off with BILLY COBHAM'S SPECTRUM. Joining the band are top-notch musicians including keyboardist GARY HUSBAND, MICHAEL MONDESIR on bass and guitarist ROCCO ZIFARELLI. On Tuesday, May 16, 2023 BILLY COBHAM`S SPECTRUM will play at the Kesselhaus in the Kulturbrauerei. </strong></p>
<p>Billy Cobham was born in Panama in 1944 and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a pianist and Cobham completed his first performances with him at the age of eight. In 1959, he began his percussion studies at the High School of Music and Art in Brooklyn, New York, that he graduated in 1962. After his Army service, he played in Horace Silver's band, performed with Stanley Turrentine and Shirley Scott, and recorded with George Benson.<br /> In 1969, Billy Cobham co-founded the jazz-rock band DREAMS, which included Randy and Michael Brecker and John Abercrombie. The following year he joined Miles Davis' new fusion ensemble and contributed to Live Evil and the Bitches Brew sessions, working with guitarist John McLaughlin.<br /> In 1971 Cobham became a founding member of the jazz-fusion MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, along with McLaughlin, Jan Hammer, Jerry Goodman and Rick Laird. He has worked with George Duke, John Scofield, Tony Williams, Jack Bruce, Peter Gabriel and The Grateful Dead.<br /> In 1973, Cobham released his debut solo album SPECTRUM, a breakthrough in jazz fusion that is widely recognized as one of the genre's most significant and influential creations. Cobham continued to create innovative fusion material with the release of CROSSWIND (1974), TOTAL ECLIPSE (1974), A FUNKY THIDE OF SINGS (1975) and LIFE AND TIMES (1976).<br /> Subsequently, he played primarily as a studio musician, in sessions and in his own projects. in 1992/93 he played and taught on behalf of UNICEF in Brazil, where he supported a music project for street children. <br /> Around 2008, he often collaborated with McCoy Tyner and Stanley Clarke in the McCoy Tyner Trio. in 2013, Cobham celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of SPECTRUM by touring the U.S., Canada and Europe with the SPECTRUM 40 BAND. in 2021, he plays some live concerts with Linley Marthe, Ulf Wakenius and Steve Hamilton, despite corona restrictions. Cobham has lived in Switzerland since the 1970s. From there he tours all over the globe.<br /> What stands out is his technique, such as the use of the double bass drum. The difference in playing technique between right and left hand is abolished with him – an indication of Cobham's high level of playing technique. Rolling Stone listed him in 2016 at number 45 of the 100 best drummers of all time.<br /> <br /> BILLY COBHAM drums / GARY HUSBAND keyboards / MICHAEL MONDESIR bass / ROCCO ZIFARELLI guitar</p>