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born into a musical family, Todd Cochran grew up to study at UCLA University of San Jose, and Trinity College of Music in London. his early influences were classical pianists Glenn Gould and Vladimir Ashkenazy. like By age 22, he had already played with jazz greats Bobby Hutcherson, John Klemmer, Herbie Hancock( he plays on "The Spook Who Sat By The Door"), and Julian Priester. Adopting the Afrcian name, "Bayete", Cochran's solo career began with albums like "Worlds Around the Sun", and "Seeking Other Beauty" the albums have the feel of Miles Davis's earthy soundscapes from the early 70's electric period...

In 1976, he teamed up with Santana drummer Mike Shrieve, guitarist Pat Thrall, and bassist Doni Harvey to form the progresive rock band, Automatic Man. In the meantime he would continue to guest on albums by Mtume, Stanley Clarke, Airto, Stanley Turrentine, Dizzy Gillespie, and Rashaan Roland Kirk. He's playing more Straight ahead, acoustic Jazz these days, as Todd Cochran....



"Free Angela" (Thoughts...and All I've Got To Say)




Don't Need Nobody




Automatic Man, featuring Bayete - "My Pearl"











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[Edited 2/27/09 10:34am]