Bill Cosby & his drumming gig with Sonny Stitt

This is from THE DICK CAVETT SHOW. February 21, 1973.

[@mbsaxman600]

If you love jazz and/or are a musician, you know just how awesome and timeless of a story this is.

[@marcdedouvan]

The way that Bill explains jazz drumming is so true, so respectful ,so emotional, so artistic and so funny in the same time! Great lesson by contradiction and great man full of humility! Respect! All drum students should listen to that carefully. Greetings of a drum teacher from France .

[@namcat53]

God he's funny!!!!! I saw Max Roach in a small club. He played the high hat....all of the high hat...so many different sounds....on a high hat...really, really well...like a genius. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen or heard. Thanks for the great story Bill! Solid.

[@Vitruvian42]

I love Bill Cosby talking about jazz almost as much as jazz itself.

[@Ph1lb]

...and nobody's started playing yet. Brilliant.

[@JayHatchJr]

Being a drummer and remembering the 1st time I showed up at an open mic jam night.... hilarious!!!

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

drummer jay jr eeyup, been there, too! They don't tell us nothing. We get to figure it out during the intro, lol.

[@jayraskin]

Jack Benny is the greatest radio comedian in American history. Bill Cosby is the greatest television comedian in American history. It is amazing seeing them together. Here's another connection - Jack Benny was a spokesperson for Jello in the 1930s. In fact his show was known in the mid 30's as" the Jello Show starring Jack Benny." Cosby became a spokesperson for Jello in the 1970s for some 30 years, I believe.

[@vova47]

I've heard this story about 5 times and it's still as funny as the first time.

[@sandraandrews9907]

U know how hilarious a story is being told by Bill Cosby? When Jack Benny (RIP 🙏) & Dick Cavett are dying from laughter. Mr. Benny is nearly on the floor in stitches from this.

[@joescott]

Think about how great this story is and the fact that it takes so long to set up to really pay off in the end and how if he tried to tell that story today, they would have cut to commercial long before he ever got to the good part. It's kind-of remarkable that they had segments that long back then.

[@zrhrrs]

oh my goodness this story is such a weird crossover and so is seeing one of your comments and also it's not about Bill's later actions what a day

[@mickavellian]

You need to be a drummer when you hear about hand cramping which it is like swimming in a shark filled pond YOU do feel that arms DIE .Like screw this BRO ,, I need a nap.

[@AustinCasey]

I love Jack Benny and Bill Cosby... two idols of mine... never in a million years thought I'd see Benny hysterical from a Cosby routine though. I love it! Lol

[@deetdeet7]

He's not making up the masters he mentions. What a great city and what great masters he mentions. Mr. Cosby... a truly great story teller ... a gift to all.

[@rapstarinstrumentals]

this aged well

[@whereisevan]

I hope some people Googled Sonny Stitt after this and got to hear him. If not, it would be a shame.

[@heartsky]

Sonny Stitt, master be-bopper, Bill C, master comedian. for real

[@alamooji3716]

It wouldn't be a shame at all...who even introduced that word to you?

[@whereisevan]

Justin Molanick missing out on an opportunity to hear one of the great masters of their particular instrument? As a music lover, I would call that a shame. What are you on about?

[@alamooji3716]

@@whereisevan I play Giant steps on 4 Instruments! Get the fuck out! Im saying nothing is shame in life! Life is great!

[@namcat53]

ALLL those cats Bill mentioned. All great.

[@twangbarfly]

Haven't laughed as hard for years - sheer brilliance!!!

[@johnbarnett6924]

This was a terrific stand up routine ❤ revisted May 4 2024❤ John Barnett

[@Thomengel]

I have always loved Bill Cosby. This piece was especially wonderful because of his reference to Sonny Stitt who grew up in my home town of Saginaw, Mi.

[@stevenmckenzie2741]

So cool and respectful how the Cos takes a glance at Jack Benny at the very end. From one new master of comedy to THE master of comedy.

[@Drumcam]

That is the funniest drum story I've ever heard!

[@Gems2323]

Dr. Cosby is a wonderful person. I enjoy listening to him, I wish he was from my town. Philly is very fortunate to have him. Thank Cavettbiter for uploading this clip.

[@jeffdawson2786]

He was great at improv, and he could turn any subject into something funny, if given enough time (as Cavett knew). This is a hilarious insight into sitting in as an amateur with professional jazz musicians.

[@spliffnotes8359]

This is a MASTERCLASS IN STORYTELLING. I know literally nothing about Jazz and know none of the people/things he referenced... and I'm crying laughing. Bravo

[@albieswings1154]

i love bill cosby - comedic genius and LEGEND

[@tyronesmith8250]

He also mentioned The Great Micky Roker who is a legendary badass on the drums and The Grear Legendary Reggie Workman on the bass!!!

[@philosopher0076]

So knowledgeable, affable, personable, intelligent, charasmatic, clean in delivery and hilarious. If only Bill had kept his evil demons away....and stayed right.....he would be today what we see in this video from long days passed.........respected, well loved, admired and relatable. Sad.

[@tuxguys]

(7 years ago) The apotheosis of the term "raconteur." This clip is one of the most-watched (and I mean students and staff CROWDING around the desk to watch it) in the office of the Guitar Dept. at the college where I teach, The World's Most Famous Music School, in Boston. It is gratifying to me to see Jack Benny's reactions to Cosby's story, going back and forth between falling down laughing at it, and rapt admiration on Benny's face as he watches Cos tell it. (It is saddening to me that, when asked, none of those same students ever has any idea who Jack Benny is.) **gilgamess Jack Benny, according to his writers, was always very appreciative of good humor. They say that he would fall out of his chair and slap the floor when he thought something was really funny. As one would suspect, his writers enjoyed working for such a great boss. +Gilgamess I have also heard it said that whenever Benny and George Burns went out together, by prearrangement, Burns would have to drive, as he would have Benny laughing so hard that Benny would actually drive off the road if he were behind the wheel. Addendum: "An Artist, as a Person, is always so much less than his Work."--Harlan Ellison (I think) This is an example of Cosby's Work, his recently-revealed deficiencies as a Person notwithstanding.

[@desmondsunstrum6260]

Love how Cavett just let's Cosby have the spotlight without interrupting him. We never see a talkshow host do that today.

[@cldavis33]

Sonny Stitt, thank you Bill, greatest saxophone player I have ever heard save Charlie Parker. Little known fact. Sonny Stitt recorded more jazz albums than any other jazz player in history. 100+

[@TryTheBLT]

@tuxguys Jack died in late 1974, almost two years after this Cavett appearance. George Burns gave the eulogy at the funeral home, but couldn't finish it because he started bawling so Bob Hope had to take over. Jack and George were best friends.

[@sb8888]

One of the funniest things I've seen in a long, long time.

[@Panthersfan2]

I've been that one bass player during a jam session having to endure countless solos at fast tempos because no horn player cares to think about the drummer or bass player getting tired.

[@johnhofman9658]

Now all other musicians can see it: Drummers, they have n't easy! Thanks Bill !!

[@InsertName130]

Outside of this video and the comments section, Stitt never gets as much respect as he deserves.

[@40sSonggirl1]

I love how towards the end Cosby has Jack Benny almost falling over with laughter. Love it!

[@gilgamess]

Jack Benny, according to his writers, was always very appreciative of good humor. They say that he would fall out of his chair and slap the floor when he thought something was really funny. As one would suspect, his writers enjoyed working for such a great boss.

[@92ninersboy]

Cosby in his prime was just flat out FUNNY. Of course, it would be Sonny Stitt who would mess him up - Sonny was known for that, calling supersonic tempos to clear off the stage, separate the wheat from the chaff. He also would call tunes in the most unexpected, God-forsaken keys to mess up piano players who were accompanying him for the first time (happened to someone I knew). But this is what the original beboppers did on 52 Street (back in the 40's) - the competition and standards were daunting, there was no Mr. Niceguy, no offering assistance to the lame - it was survival of the fittest.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

92ninersboy it's STILL like that to some extent. Because they don't even turn around to announce any song titles to the drummer. They just figure we can read minds...

[@BuckshotLaFunke1]

Thanks for this comment.

[@maick95]

Where can I read about this kind of stuff? Really interesting

[@raginbakin1430]

Haha this is the first informed comedy bit about jazz I’ve ever seen, and this is fucking awesome

[@juankawr9910]

What a storyteller... 😂😂😂 Fantastic anecdote from this comic genius

[@kayandaeddings4803]

Now I know why Bill Cosby likes jazz on the Cosby show. Specially his character Cliff Huxtable.

[@jkingvevo2472]

Cosby made a small cast appearance on "The Electric Company" a week after this was broadcasted in Episode 223 (Season 2, aired February 28, 1973).

[@maciekomis]

"we're not playing anymore" hilarious

[@farshimelt]

I did a one week gig with the pianist who had just come off the Mahvishnu band. One night he called Donna Lee, a little faster than Cherokee. He played the first 3 chorus's solo then cued in the bassist and I. After 3 chorus's I had to play the ride cymbal with 2 hands to keep up. No Max Roach to rescue me. I made to the end.

[@KyleSzklenski]

He uses onomatopoeia better than any human being alive. "Shuck, shuck. Kick-a-boom."

[@jaysax90]

I can't believe this cat played with Stitt, Workman, and (for a few moments, haha!) Roach! Alright, back to shedding Cherokee. :P

[@Trots.777]

Classic Bill Cosby I love it man. Legend.

[@LordAuthor]

This is comedy genius. Pure unadulterated genius.

[@raggityman]

Some of the audience seems familiar with the song "Cherokee" given their reaction when Cos mentions it.

[@stevenmckenzie2741]

I’m sure most of that reaction was coming the Bobby Rosengarden band.

[@Lazurini1]

Just genius! Great to see Jack Benny doubled over too!

[@clarkewi]

Phenomenal. This is absolutely classic.

[@440864]

Hysterical and oh so true.

[@niqulusviii987]

the legend!

[@raggityman]

I love it when they cut to Jack Benny falling over with laughter!

[@flojogrande]

Great banter and exchange. Jack Benny, Cosby and Cavett just keeps drawing it out. The era of the great talk shows Cavett, Gleason, Dean Martin, Mike Douglass. Bill had me grinning the whole time through-out the story. There is another great story Cosby tells on Johnny Carson about Shelby the great car maker, who gave him a gift of a car because he was a big fan of Cosby's during the I-spy period.

[@jjvolt78]

Hilarious. I m a drummer and a lifelong fan of the cos. That feeling of rigor mortis is no fun when you have band mates and a bar full of people around you.

[@PastorJulian]

One of the greatest at storytelling

[@gibgezr]

I really lost it at 8:09 "...and nobodies started playin' yet"

[@yumunja]

Absolutely. Well noticed.

[@georgemaher9224]

Laughed my nads off at this...........really funny. Thanks for sharing.

[@user-zs5of5en5o]

What I love about this is you don’t hear a single bad word of any kind. Clean comedy is gone.

[@albieswings1154]

yes clean comedy rocks!

[@talkinjazz]

3:43 biddedihiddl! this is just great! was laughing to tears!

[@DerekWilliamsMusic]

Genius, both musically and comedically.

[@deidrecuellar8285]

Just so naturally funny!

[@ninjadrummist]

Hilarious! Every drummer has experienced this at least once in their life lol!

[@epf1961]

The one part of this I cringe at is when Cosby (5:10) is forced to say, "Doesn't make any difference what his name is"..referring to Sonny Stitt.. (when the others on the show appear to not know who Stitt is-- in fact, I think I hear Benny saying "Who???").. This is yet just another shining example of the accepted but yet unacceptable phenomenon that nobody knows anything about jazz or it's major proponents.. And Stitt was still alive & well at the time! People need jazz education!

[@petecellar]

Classic, right up to the lighting of the cigar...

[@bigkingsha]

Q-Tip's long lost pop.

[@AndrewScott30847]

why didnt max roach ever rescue me on a gig when i was starting out lol?

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Yeah, I recall the shock on my face when I got flung "Beginnings" by Chicago and the Who, "Baba O'Reilly." With NO notice of any kind. Wut?? Now??

[@Kearyjb]

My eyes are literally moist and my sides hurt

[@thisoldetruck278]

I do not care what anyone says… Bill Cosby is the Greatest Standup Comedian of All Time!!!!!!!!!

[@bennyshaversmusic590]

One of Bill Cosby's best songs by far

[@Migueltio]

This was hysterical!

[@DSLDrummer]

This is absolutely amazing, so funny!!

[@danielbagutti]

I feel the heat everytime I see his sweater

[@haveatomato]

hilarious story, he really knows his jazz!

[@Mumbo137]

this is brilliant

[@tommyt1971]

I think we've seen the origin of the Cosby sweater!!!!

[@smitty2106]

one of my favorite comedians

[@Novalunosis90]

7: 50 I was in tears and by 8:08 I actually fell out of my chair.

[@audiophelia]

Jack Benny falls out of his chair laughing! Nuff Said!!!

[@IvoryMelodies86]

Cherokee is basically the song you play when you want to kick "not up to par" musicians out. You can't just throw them out, so you do Cherokee.. in different keys if necessary.

[@brucescott4261]

TJ Landry ...Breakneck tempo! Ray Noble's CHEROKEE separates the men from the boys, PERIOD!!!

[@craigcaver4051]

Damn damn the Coz! I guess I'm the first to post on here since the verdict.

[@jokrg]

No matter what, this man is funny!

[@buckypreseau7349]

two words describe cosby. brilliant.....sick

[@sutoncicero]

this viedo was posted on my brith day

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Yeah. Art Blakey. I bought a REALLY nice 24 inch Giant Beat ride on account of "Pensavita." It's thin, so it'll act like a really big crash, too. Along with about 5 other tones off the sane cymbal. Which is pretty trick. Yeah, you don't want them to look back at you, lol...

[@boogiedownbronx73]

i got some records of Sonny

[@southsidetokyo]

Watching this it’s easy to see that Cosby is where Richard Pryor got his style and Eddie Murphy got his from Pryor. Cosby is the real G.O.A.T.

[@Kayem967]

Funny that people might say, why are the people you mentioned who were influenced by him black.

[@petecellar]

I think you misunderstood my comment. I loved the whole thing, including how he lit the cigar at the end...

[@richoboss22]

Nobody understand the really sense of that great speech but everybody is laughing. His such a master!

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Ricardo Pinzon oh, the drummer understood it, trust me:)

[@joealanouf]

THAT was a halarious and well told story . i lagghfed !

[@Siska0Robert]

Great story! :)

[@BlackPopeye44]

I don't care what this man has done this shit is funny

[@AleksandarDzigurski]

4:01 He obviously says something like: "Half a british nut bureaucrats.."

[@rtarbinar]

whoooooo dawggy! what a story! *whew* and all the more poignant, seein' as how i dabble in a bit o' drummin' meself! them jazz men had been, have been, were, are, will be, and will be BEING LEGENDS FOREVER!

[@jamesdaquistoii5198]

LMAO...PRICELESS

[@V_Vladimir_V]

Крутой мужик, отличное чувство юмора))

[@farshimelt]

You got it.

[@euphoricelephants]

People were so laid back on tv back then...

[@cszetela1]

Great story.

[@TheSpiritOfYah]

I'm looking @ Bill but I'm hearing Tracy Morgan. HILARIOUS!!

[@Lacivicus]

I've been exactly there. Because the cos.

[@koucak]

huge !

[@BigfootCountry]

I old funny Bill Cosby . Great video .

[@lorenzmuller3542]

hilarious! :-)