Doc Cook | |
|---|---|
 Doc Cook, ca. 1910 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Doc Cook |
| Born | Charles L. Cooke (1891-09-02)September 2, 1891 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | December 25, 1958(1958-12-25) (aged 67) Wurtsboro, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, arranger |
| Labels | Gennett |
Charles L. Cooke (September 3, 1891 – December 25, 1958), known asDoc Cook, was an Americanjazzbandleader andarranger. Cook was aDoctor of Music, awarded by theChicago Musical College in 1926.[1]
Born inLouisville, he first worked as a composer and arranger inDetroit before moving toChicago around 1910. Cook became resident leader of the orchestra atPaddy Harmon's Dreamland Ballroom in Chicago from 1922 to 1927, acting as conductor and musical director.
The ensemble recorded under several names, such as Cookie's Gingersnaps, Doc Cook and his 14 Doctors of Syncopation, and Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra. Among those who played in Cook's band wereFreddie Keppard,Jimmie Noone,Johnny St. Cyr,Zutty Singleton,Joe Poston [de],Andrew Hilaire, andLuis Russell.[2] After 1927 Cook's orchestra played in Chicago at theMunicipal Pier and theWhite City Ballroom.[3]
In 1930, Cook moved toNew York City and worked as an arranger forRadio City Music Hall andRKO, working there into the 1940s.[2] OnBroadway, he had a number of important orchestration credits, includingThe Hot Mikado (1939) and the first U.S. production ofThe Boy Friend in collaboration withTed Royal in 1954.[4] A proponent ofragtime, he also worked frequently withEubie Blake, supplying the arrangements for the 1952 revival ofShuffle Along.[5]
Cook recorded 6 sides forGennett in early 1924, asCook's Dreamland Orchestra , then 4 sides forOKeh in June 1926 asCookie's Gingersnaps. In July 1926 Doc Cook signed toColumbia, with which recorded 14 sides 6 through March 1928.
1923-27 - Freddie Keppard,The Complete Set1923-26 (Retrieval RTR79017, 2005). The CD contains the 6 Gennett and the 4 Okeh sides plus 8 Columbia, all with Keppard on cornet.
