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Billy Cobham

Mike Tiano Praises “Six Days” as a New “Benchmark for Oral Histories”

September 24, 2021 by briangruber No Comments

Music blogger and longtime Yes digital media manager Mike Tiano releases this fresh review of “Six Days at Ronnie Scott’s.” Mike interviewed Billy and I during the initial launch of the book. 

 

Beyond Ronnie Scott’s, a history of Billy Cobham’s journey through popular music
 
The title of Brian Gruber’s astonishing book doesn’t come close to describe what is encompassed in this fascinating work. The jumping point might begin with Billy Cobham’s six nights at Ronnie Scott’s but actually dives deeply into a number of oral histories, including facts about the legendary drummer—make that musician–that might surprise all but the most fanatical Cobham follower. While Cobham-philes will devour the results of Gruber’s astounding conversations with the articulate artist the book will captivate anyone fascinated in the history of popular music from the 1960s forward from Billy’s viewpoint.

While the title event is well-documented, the influential musician’s life story is meticulously discussed by Cobham himself along with the perspective of those who interacted with him during their lifetime (including band mates past and present), along with those who were greatly influenced by him (e.g., Bill Bruford’s first encountering Cobham when the Mahavishnu Orchestra were the opening act for Yes). We learn about Billy’s musical journey where he performed with legends that included the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and Muhammad Ali, leading to his involvement with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and launching his own solo career of releasing many memorable albums, and the foibles of eking a living as an innovative musician who can at the same time remain relevant to modern audiences.

Brian’s herculean efforts in assembling this wonderful tome goes beyond Cobham and includes info that centers on Ronnie Scott himself, and how the club came to be. This book sets a benchmark for oral histories and has much to digest; the consumer will find much to revisit time and again.

Whether you’re a casual fan of Cobham’s musical output or think you know all there is to know about the exquisite musician this is a must read, and Gruber’s musical knowledge coupled with his deft organization of the various elements contained herein is nothing short of dazzling.

And trust me, that is no hyperbole.

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Billy Cobham•Books

WGBH Boston Jazz Critic Picks “Six Days at Ronnie Scott’s” As One of Year’s Best Jazz Books

May 6, 2021 by briangruber No Comments

Missed this one.

Tessil Collins, Managing Producer of Jazz 24/7 from WGBH Boston, one of the most respected jazz shows in the United States on perhaps the country’s leading producer of original music content, selected by “Six Days at Ronnie Scott’s” as one of the best jazz books of the year. Here is the complete list, quite an honor roll of the country’s top jazz authors and journalists. 

Tessil Collins


    • Jazz and Justice: Racism and the Political Economy of the Music by Gerald Horne Monthly Review Press (April 22, 2019)
    • Arthur Elgort: Jazz by Marianne Houtenbos Damiani (September 25, 2018)
    • Sophisticated Giant: The Life and Legacy of Dexter Gordon by Maxine Gordon University of California Press (November 6, 2018)
    • Why Jazz Happened by Marc Myers University of California Press (February 26, 2019)
    • The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire by Ted Gioia Oxford University Press (July 6, 2012)
    • Jazz/Not Jazz—The Music and It’s Boundaries by David Ake, Charles Hiroshi Garrett and Daniel GoldmarkUniversity of California Press (2012)
    • Diggin’—The Afro-American Soul of American Classical Music by Amiri Baraka University of California Press (2009)
    • Definitive Jazz & Blues Encyclopedia: New & Expanded Edition by Jeff Watts, Howard Mandel Flame Tree Publishing (March 15, 2019)
    • How to Listen to Jazz by Ted Gioia Basic Books (May 17, 2016)
    • The Jazz Pictures by Stanley Crouch and Carol Friedman Arena Editions (1999)
    • Blues Legacies and Black Feminism: Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday by Angela Y. Davis Vintage (January 26, 1999)
    • The History of Jazz by Ted Gioia Oxford University Press (May 9, 2011)
    • Miles by Miles Davis Simon & Schuster (September 20, 2011)
    • Concise Guide to Jazz (7th Edition) by Mark C. Gridley Pearson(January 6, 2013)
    • Jazz: An Introduction to the History and Legends Behind America’s Music by Bob Blumenthal Harper Perennial (December 18, 2007)
    • Six Days at Ronnie Scott’s: Billy Cobham on Jazz Fusion and the Act of Creation by Brian K. Gruber CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (May 28, 2018)
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Brian Gruber is an author, writing coach, and marketing consultant living on the Thai island of Koh Phangan. He has spent 40 years studying, leading, and founding new media companies and projects.

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