Bill Cosby's lifelong love affair with jazz

[mjzee]

Bill Cosby answers the phone: "I'm here!"

It's 7 a.m., he's in Los Angeles, and his greeting feels like a pronouncement, at once comic and serious. Yes, Cosby is here, and he is about to hold court — about jazz, his passion since he was a kid in the North Philadelphia housing projects, dancing to Clarence "Bull Moose" Jackson records and dreaming of becoming a drummer.

That didn't work out, but, as with the best jazz musicians, Cosby — comedian, TV and film star, educator, producer — is a storyteller, and he spends the next two hours telling tales. His stories spiral, expand, digress, flow, digress some more and, suddenly, surprisingly, find their way home — not unlike a solo by a jazz musician.

More here:

Marin Independent Journal

[Dan Gould]

Thanks. If this won't bring Albertson out of hiding, nothing will.

[MomsMobley]

in case anyone hasn't seen this yet--

[JSngry]

Or this, which is really weird in many ways...

[gmonahan]

in case anyone hasn't seen this yet--

Few comedians could match Cosby in his prime. Great story. Thanks for posting it!

gregmo

[uli]

Thanks. If this won't bring Albertson out of hiding, nothing will.

talking about Chris, interesting stuff

Destination: OUT ‏@destinationOUT39m

Lovely blog post on Ornette, w audio clips from a 1972 interview: http://stomp-off.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-1972-talk-with-ornette-coleman.html …

[BFrank]

From last night's benefit:

Review: Cosby charms fans at SFJazz benefit

[crisp]

I initially misread the thread title as "Bing Crosby's lifelong love affair with jazz". Ironically, Crosby as a casual comedian was much funnier than Cosby who supposedly specialises in it. For a while in the UK they ran a show called The Cosby Mysteries. I assumed these would be: Why is he famous? Why is he employed? Why did The Cosby Show run for so long? etc etc.

[danasgoodstuff]

Why is There Air? And, while we're at it, What's your problem?

[mjzee]

I think Bill Cosby will be seen as an historic figure. He's had a truly remarkable career, groundbreaking in many ways, has been in the public consciousness for close to 50 years, and, yes, he is a very funny fellow, right!

[Christiern]

I think Bill Cosby will be seen as an historic figure. He's had a truly remarkable career, groundbreaking in many ways, has been in the public consciousness for close to 50 years, and, yes, he is a very funny fellow, right!

[duaneiac]

Just don't let Bill Cosby offer jazz any drinks while they are alone together.

[johnblitweiler]

Onstage at a Lester Bowie tribute concert, Lester saw Cosby's video tribute and said, "My music isn't funny."

[Chuck Nessa]

Lester complained to me about Cosby's attempts to "reign him in".. On the other hand, when Bill's son was killed Lester called me to ask if I could send him a copy of "People In Sorrow".

Sad memories all around.

[GA Russell]

I can't disbelieve 26 women. However, I have to feel that something is up, something is coordinated by somebody, when the press gives them credibility now when it didn't then.

When this started making headlines, one woman said, "How come nobody believed me thirty years ago?"

I feel that the truth is closer to...Why was this covered up then, but not now? Or...Why is it no longer being covered up?

[clifford_thornton]

because sexual assault is viewed as a crime now, when it was "boys being boys" then.

[erwbol]

I don't believe this is coordinated. People just chose to put their head in the sand for a long time. Just look at what Jimmy Savile got away with for decades despite accusations being made from time to time. People in power (BBC, police) chose not to see or pursue.

At least Cosby will get to live with the consequences of his deeds for the rest of his life, unlike pedophile & necrophiliac Savile.

[Scott Dolan]

I can't disbelieve 26 women. However, I have to feel that something is up, something is coordinated by somebody, when the press gives them credibility now when it didn't then.

When this started making headlines, one woman said, "How come nobody believed me thirty years ago?"

I feel that the truth is closer to...Why was this covered up then, but not now? Or...Why is it no longer being covered up?

I'm willing to bet not all 26 are legit, but the fact that he settled with a previous accuser several years ago all but assures there's a bit of fire to go along with that smoke.

Either way, the law of the land is still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Therefore I am reserving my judgement.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Scott Dolan

[Christiern]

Why did none of Cosby's newly surfaced behavior surprise me?

[Scott Dolan]

All I'm saying, Chris, is that we fortunately live in a country where you have to present a hell of a lot more than "it doesn't surprise me" as evidence of criminal activity. While that in no way assures justice, it certainly puts stumbling blocks in the way of simple miscarriages of justice.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Scott Dolan

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

he was part owner of Tetragammaton, the label deep purple were on, + they also payed to have their debut LA show filmed on early Sony videotape

[Christiern]

All I'm saying, Chris, is that we fortunately live in a country where you have to present a hell of a lot more than "it doesn't surprise me" as evidence of criminal activity. While that in no way assures justice, it certainly puts stumbling blocks in the way of simple miscarriages of justice.

That is true, Scott, but I discovered, first-hand, Cosby's not-so-admirable side over 50 years ago. Since then, I have often seen it exposed and heard it discussed among jazz performers who personally experienced his hypocrisy. It so happens, that I also have a female business contact who was among his rape victims.

So, I guess I answered my own question as to why this man's behavior did not surprise me.

[Scott Dolan]

All I'm saying, Chris, is that we fortunately live in a country where you have to present a hell of a lot more than "it doesn't surprise me" as evidence of criminal activity. While that in no way assures justice, it certainly puts stumbling blocks in the way of simple miscarriages of justice.

That is true, Scott, but I discovered, first-hand, Cosby's not-so-admirable side over 50 years ago. Since then, I have often seen it exposed and heard it discussed among jazz performers who personally experienced his hypocrisy. It so happens, that I also have a female business contact who was among his rape victims.

So, I guess I answered my own question as to why this man's behavior did not surprise me.

That's fair enough, brother.

As I mentioned before, innocent until proven guilty, but taking everything the general public knows into account, it certainly doesn't look good for Cosby.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Scott Dolan

[JSngry]

he was part owner of Tetragammaton, the label deep purple were on, + they also payed to have their debut LA show filmed on early Sony videotape

You will want to hear the Murray Roman Tetragrammaton records.

[ValerieB]

he's always been a frustrated jazz musician rather than what I think of as a "jazz fan". his forcing himself on stage of a known jazz group just to shake a tambourine has always been embarrassing. by agreeing to MC the Playboy Jazz Festival, they let him have his own group to lead. musicians chosen have always been excellent but his ego has consistently ruined the sets by frantically directing or banging on the drums.