Wed, 02/25/2015 - 5:45 am

World-class jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham announces his Spring 2015 USA Spectrum 40 Tour, in conjunction with the release of the double CD recording, Spectrum 40 Live. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Cobham’s breakthrough album, Spectrum—widely regarded as one of the genre’s most influential works— the upcoming performance series and CD set feature Cobham’s explosive, complex style of play supported by the Spectrum 40 Band, including Dean Brown (guitar); Gary Husband (piano) and Ric Fierabracci (bass).

Cobham’s musical genius has thrilled music lovers around the globe since the early ‘70s when he was a founding member of the Mahavishnu Orchestra.Today, after decades of musical exploration, the versatile Cobham continues to evolve and innovate as a master drummer, percussionist, composer, producer, educator and clinician--as audiences around the country will soon experience through the Spectrum 40 shows and the Spectrum 40 Live CD.

The impetus for the Spectrum 40 show and the March 2015 release of Spectrum 40 Live came from a “germ of an idea” in late 2012, which Cobham says “had to do with organizing a band to revisit compositions from my first album Spectrum. By this time, it was well over 40 years since I’d considered presenting most of the music recorded on Spectrum to the public. So, considering the fact that I could collaborate with some of the most imaginative artists in musical field, I chose to revive “Spectrum”, “Quadrant Four”,“To The Women In My Life”,“Le Lis” in addition to “Stratus” and “Red Baron” on this trip down memory lane.And, with the addition of “Fragolino”,“Radio Active”,“Heather” that I have rarely performed live. What you hear in this double CD package is the result of much energy expended and shared amongst a small core of individuals whom I can only thank for their direct input and total support of me and the music you find within the grooves of this double CD set.”

The Spectrum 40 Spring 2015 Tour includes the following cities and venues:

Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 PM, Berks Jazz Festival,Wyomissing, PA www.berksjazzfest.com

Friday,April 17, 7:30 PM, Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN www.thejazzkitchen.com

Saturday,April 18, 8:00 PM, Jazz Cafe at Music Hall, Detroit MI jazzcafedetroit.com

Sunday,April 19, 6:00 and 8:30 PM, SPACE, Evanston, IL evanstonspace.com

Tuesday,April 21, 8:00 PM,  Fox Tuscon Theatre,Tucson,AZ

Wednesday,April 22, 8:00 PM, Talking Stick Resort Showroom, Scottsdale,AZ

Friday-Sunday,April 24-26, 8:30 and 10:30 PM shows (Fri/Sat) and 7:30 and 9:30 PM shows (Sun)  www.catalinajazzclub.com

Monday,April 27, 7:00 PM, Kuumbwa Jazz Club, Santa Cruz, CA www.kuumbwajazz.org

Tuesday,April 28 and Wednesday,April 29, 8:00 PM,Yoshi’s Oakland, Oakland, CA www.yoshis.com

For more information, visit: www.billycobham.com

Wed, 05/25/2016 - 5:31 pm

An immersive five-day learning experience for professional and semi-pro bassists, drummers, guitarists and keyboard players across all genres and styles. Master the Art of the Rhythm Section in real time, led by drumming virtuoso Billy Cobham, along with Dean Brown (guitar), Gerry Etkins (keyboards) and Ric Fierabracci (bass).

Participants will experience:

• Five days of master classes with Billy Cobham, Dean Brown, Gerry Etkins and Ric Fierabracci, featuring lectures, discussions, video analysis, and playing exercises, including four interactive classes per day.

• Nightly jam sessions for all interns as active or passive participants.

• Special Saturday night performance feat. two chosen Rhythm Sections that will open the show for a concert with Billy and the Spectrum 40 Band.

This immersive learning experience is NOT just for jazz musicians! As Billy notes, “The Art of the Rhythm Section will help you get your band face on and help you to work better as a team with your fellow musicians in the Rhythm Section.”

Limited space available, register now!

Get Started with Registration and fill out the Application: CLICK HERE

Click Register above to complete the process. ($250 Deposit Required)

Only applicants who meet the level of expertise required (in the sole judgement of the Retreat organizers) will be accepted.

Pricing for the five-day program once is as follows 
•One intern: $999.00
•Two interns: $799.00 each (Two different types of Rhythm Section insturments)
•Three interns: $599.00 each (Three different types of Rhythm Section insturments)
•Four interns (Rhythm Section): $499.00 each (Four different types of Rhythm Section insturments)
Daily breakfast and lunch included; travel/lodging and dinner not included.

View the program schedule HERE

Check out this video message from the Maestro.