Wayne Cobham – Soul & Songbook
December 14, 2023 @ 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Sponsored by Christa King
After more than 35 years as an entertainer, Wayne Cobham still derives the utmost of pleasure from performing. Wayne has been playing trumpet since his early childhood. His career began in the Drum and Bugle corps of New York. He was hooked on the trumpet for life.
In the late 70’s he found a new love that would bring him parallel recognition playing his horn for multiple industry greats and computer music programming. While still in its infancy he became one of its pioneers and leaders in this burgeoning field. He was a major part of the MIDI revolution, and fostered a lucrative business as, consultant, clinician, producer, and educator. He provided consultation to many well-known musicians who wished to learn and incorporate this new technology. With self-taught computer skills that were utilized over many different genres of music including but not limited to Hip Hop, R&B, Rock & Roll, Jazz, Pop and Gospel, Wayne’s knowledge of sampling as well as his proficiency with all of the many DAW programs helped in garnering him 4 Grammy Awards along the way for work on Michael Jacksons “Dangerous & History” CD’s, and trumpet solo on Denise Williams “This Is My Song”, and “Zanzibar Breeze” by brother Billy Cobham. These acknowledgements as well as others led to Grammy membership and voting status with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Additionally, He also is in high demand as a performer and has toured the world playing trumpet with such notable entertainers as Steve Jordan, Ben E. King, Cameo, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Ray Charles, Billy Cobham, Taylor Dane, Loredana Berté, Lou Reed, Gwen McCrae, Nancy Wilson, Charles Earland, Carlos Garnett, Denise Williams, Weeks & Company, Brass Construction, The Brothers Of The Road Band, Shelly Nicole’s BlakBUshe, Ellis Hall, Roy Ayers,Paul Simon,Sting, Brad Paisley, (continued) just to name a few. However, it does not stop there! His studio/ live credits include Michael Jackson, Pieces of a Dream, Nancy Wilson, Denise Williams, Patti Austin, Paul Simon, and Michael J Fox, His production credits include Gwen McRae, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Dane, Dusty Springfield, Billy Cobham, and Guy with Teddy Reilly, Black Street, Clarke Terry, Heavy D & The Boys, The Black Rock Coalition Orchestra, John Mayer,Keith Sweat, among others. Wayne is also credited for horn arrangements on Josh Groban’s “ Harmony” Cd.
He is still actively performing and in demand for his Motown tribute Band Dr. K’s Motown Revue, Cobham’s Coalition Jazz and R&B bands. For the past five years Wayne has performed musically with Steve Jordan’s SSBX Band for the Michael J Fox Parkinson’s disease foundation. He’s currently working with his brother Billy Cobham Art of the Rhythm Section retreat.
For the last eleven years he’s been the treasurer and a board member for the Garner Arts Center in Garnerville NY. Using his musical sensibilities and experience he has curated two “Outdoor Shorts” film festivals which have received critical industry acclaim. When It comes to the arts Wayne is a welcomed addition to the organization.
Cancellations must be done at least 2 weeks prior to the event to receive a full refund.
Learn more about the venue, seating, and The Art of Music series here!