Legendary jazz drummer Billy Cobham playing Colonial Theatre on January 24th

The legendary jazz fusion drummer Billy Cobham is celebrating the 40th anniversary release of his solo debut classic album Spectrum with a tour, Spectrum 40, that brings him to Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville on Thursday, January 24th. Cobham, a founding member of Mahavishnu Orchestra along with John McLaughlin, performed with Miles Davis. However, it is his work with Mahavishnu along with his solo records that established him as the definitive all-time greatest jazz-rock (fusion) drummer. Joining Cobham on the tour are his former Mahavishnu Orchestra colleague and one time member of the Dixie Dregs, Jerry Goodman, on violin; guitarist Dean Brown (who has played with the Brekcer Brothers, Marcus Miller and Joe Zawinul); pianist Gary Husband and Ric Fierabracci on bass.

Cobham’s Stratus was the brilliant start of a long career for the drummer who has brought his musical talents into communities around the world as an educator. Cobham’s music was introduced to a new generation of music fans when the British electonica band Massive Attack sampled the song “Stratus” from Spectrum on the band’s ground breaking trip-hop album, Blue Lines on “Safe From Harm.” Below, listen to Spectrum and Massive Attack’s “Safe From Harm.” Tickets to the show are available at the Colonial Theatre Box Office (610-917-1228) or here.