Al Cobine

Albert Cobine (b. Richmond, March 25, 1928 - Bloomington, May 21, 2009) – Bandleader, composer, arranger, contractor and saxophonist. A graduate of Richmond High School, Earlham College, and University of Cincinnati (M.A.), Cobine, who never majored in music, formed a long-running big band in Bloomington in 1955, and the group was voted by the National Ballroom Association as the best new band of the year in 1960. In 1965, Cobine became the orchestra contractor for Henry Mancini and later traveled the country with him as a tenor sax soloist. From 1962 to 1973, he composed for and conducted IU’s Little 500 variety show, which included spots by Tony Bennett, Bob Hope, Petula Clark, Wayne Newton, and others. Furthermore, all of those singers were backed by Cobine’s band. In addition to recording five albums—including one dedicated to Hoagy Carmichael’s music—and playing throughout the state, the Al Cobine Big Band toured in the 1970s with Elvis Presley, Glenn Campbell, Seals and Crofts and Tom Jones. Among his many compositions are The Hoagy Carmichael Suite (commissioned by the Indianapolis Orchestra) and the theme music for the Wild Kingdom. In 2006, the Area Arts Council of Bloomington honored Cobine as a Living Treasure.