Local musician honored for lifetime achievements

Musician Albert Cobine, a Bloomington resident who has worked with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, will be honored this month with the Living Treasure Award. Presented during the Arts Leadership Awards on Feb. 22 at the Bloomington Convention Center, the award will recognize the lifetime achievement of this local artist.\n"(I'm) a little surprised, but very honored," Cobine said.\nMusic professor and chair of the Department of Jazz Studies David Baker was part of the selection committee that chose Cobine to receive this award.\n"It was a unanimous vote." Baker said. "He is very well-known and respected. I don't know of anyone who doesn't love him." \nBaker was also the recipient of the Living Treasure Award in 2004. Baker emphasized the honor of receiving the award. \n"It's a very special meaning to be honored in your hometown and by your peers," he said.\nBecause of mild dementia, Cobine is unable to recall many of his achievements. His wife, Marian Cobine, helps fill in the blanks.\nShe said Cobine came to IU in 1952 to earn his doctorate in international relations. However, he always had an interest in music, and quit school to pursue a career. He played tenor saxophone, clarinet and the piano, all from a very young age. \n"He has always had a natural talent in music." Marian Cobine said.\nWhile at IU, Cobine played for the Fred Dale Band in 1953 along with Baker. Cobine then decided to put together his own band, The Al Cobine Big Band, which formed Sept. 30, 1955. \n"This day was the start of my music career," Cobine said.\nAccording to a biography published for a tribute concert, his band recorded five albums between 1956 and 1989. It performed all the shows for the Little 500 throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He contracted orchestras for many popular artists at that time, including Eddy Arnold, Perry Como, Glenn Campbell, Elvis Presley, Doc Severisenand and Frank Sinatra. \nCobine was also a tenor saxophone soloist for Henry Mancini and was featured in songs conducted by Mancini such as "Days of Wine and Roses," "Peter Gunn" and the "Pink Panther" theme. \nCobine has performed with every major U.S. symphony on the East Coast.\nHe is now retired and is living with his wife in Bloomington. They raised three children in Bloomington, and he has always considered the town home. \n"It's been a unique life for him to be in contact with major performers while living in Bloomington." Marian Cobine said. "He never turned down an opportunity"