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2237 Cullen Blvd, Pearland, TX 77581
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29.569080743601, -95.349490254492
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Arnett Cobb (born Arnette Cleophus Cobbs on August 10, 1918, in Houston – died March 24, 1989) was a powerhouse American jazz tenor saxophonist known as the “Wild Man of the Tenor Sax.” Renowned for his booming, high-octane tone, he fused swing, blues, and early R&B into a signature “Texas Tenor” roar.
Cobb helped create the bold “open prairie” tone and “southern preacher” style on tenor sax—robust, emotive, and riotously expressive. As lead tenor for Lionel Hampton’s band (1942–47), he famously tore through “Flying Home No. 2,” earning his untamed nickname — and shaped the sound for giants like Illinois Jacquet and Gene Ammons.
Beyond his chops, Cobb mentored future stars, scouted James Brown, and nurtured talent as club manager and community builder in Houston. Despite a tragic 1956 auto accident that left him on crutches, he recorded prolifically, co-founded the Texas Jazz Archives, and continued touring through the ’80s.
MAJOR RECORDINGS
| Blow Arnett, Blow (aka Go Power!!!) | 1959 | First studio leadership session post-accident; fiery tenor battle with Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis—praised for its energy. |
| Smooth Sailing | 1960 | Title track became a jazz standard, later covered by Ella Fitzgerald; emotional yet powerful. |
| Very Saxy | 1959 | A legendary four-tenor jam with Eddie Davis, Coleman Hawkins, Buddy Tate—slotted in the Penguin Guide’s core collection. |
| Arnett Cobb Is Back | 1978 | Comeback LP recorded after years of Houston retirement—deemed “roaring and stomping” by AllMusic. |
| Funky Butt | 1981 | A late-career gem, full of swinging grooves and his signature grit. |
GALLERY AND CLIPS
