Paul Cook - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Paul Cook was born in Gravesend, Kent 26 miles east of central London in 1976. The son of a professional comedian and publican, Paul always knew that a life in showbusiness was his goal. It was the bands performing and the records on the juke box at The Pelham Arms in Gravesend that inspired him to start songwriting. His initial experiences of performing to an audience were in pubs and clubs in the North West Kent Area.He learned his craft as a bluesman playing in various bands and playing hundreds of blues jams over the years. In his time he has jammed with musicians such as Brian Robertson, Andy Cortes, John O'leary, Tommy Allen to name but a few, literally hundreds of different musicians over the years at a handful of blues jams. It is in those pubs and clubs that he honed his craft and stage persona.In 2004, he formed his own band 'The Scheme' and played shows at The Old Courthouse in Dartford, The Mick Jagger Centre and headlined the 2005 Dartford Festival Sunday programme. Paul recorded at The Shed in Pembridge and Roundel Studios in Kent in 2005 also.In 2006 Paul dedicated much of the year to studio projects and also played Queen Square Fair in Holborn, The Dartford Festival, Guested with the HouseBand at The Heathcote Blues Jam and recorded again at Roundel Studios, recorded a live gig at The Cauliflower in Ilford, played dozens of other gigs including a performance with Japanese Blues outfit 'Special Agents' in Namba Square, Osaka and three nights at Slow Blues in Nagoya with Chikahiko Inden guesting with Paul. 2007 was again eventful with performances at Brentwood Acoustic Festival, Seabright's Beer festival in Essex, gigs at The Seaxe, including one with Laura Maclean guesting with the band and a massive amount of time dedicated to studio projects.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/1/2006
Band Website: calbec.com
Band Members: PAUL COOK- Guitars and vocals - JON-JAY NEEDHAM - Guitar - BEN GRIFFITHS - Bass - TONY REGAN - Keys - JADE ELLINS - Guitar and vocals - RON GREENWOOD - Drums -

Influences: The Blues will always be my main musical interest so Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Elmore James, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Freddie King, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Robert Cray, John Mayall, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Doyle Bramhall II, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and most recently Ian Seigal have really influenced me as a blues musician.In addition to my blues heroes there are a great many artists from other genres that inspire me no end.The Beatles, The Four Tops, George Harrison solo, John Lennon solo, Pink Floyd, Derek and The Dominos, Bob Dylan, Mark Knopfler, The Who, Roy Orbison, The Graham Bond Organisation, Buddy Holly, Chris Farlowe, Bill Wyman, Stevie Wonder, Jools Holland, Stevie Winwood, The Doors, Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, Delroy Wilson, JJ Cale, Sting, Dido, Eva Cassidy and many more have touched me and left a massive impression.Life experiences and the people around me continue to inspire my songs and music, recent years have confronted me with a number of problems in my personal life, you find out who your friends really are when the chips are down.I have never felt so inspired.
Sounds Like: I have never wanted to sound like anybody other than myself. I idolised so many great musicians when I was growing up, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy were probably my biggest influences so I was always going to be a Fender Strat player. If I had to describe my sound, it would be... 'Rocking Blues and Soul with a modern Urban feel delivered with vintage sounds'.. LOL This box was the toughest to fill in.
Record Label: Calbec Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Heathcote blues jam

Last night I had the honour of guesting with the houseband at The Heathcote Blues Jam in Leytonstone. As always I had a great time. The band was made up of Terry Duggan (bass), Reg Patten ...
Posted by Paul Cook on Thu, 13 Sep 2007 06:03:00 PST

Hot Hob Blues Jam at the Seaxe

Great jam at The Seaxe tonight. Richard Dobney and the houseband consisting of the delightful Claire Black (Bass), Ray Bartrip (keys) and Matt Dobney drums opened with the usual watertight set. ...
Posted by Paul Cook on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 05:54:00 PST

Brentwood Acoustic weekender

Paul and Mitch played the opening night of the First Brentwood Acoustic Weekender last night at The Seaxe Bar. They were joined on stage by Danny Stanford (The Doctors) and Tony Stevens. The set inclu...
Posted by Paul Cook on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 09:53:00 PST

Heathcote website

This review appeared tonight on www.heathcotebluesjam.co.uk 'Another fabulous night at The Heathcote initiated by a superb and faultless set from our Guest Paul Cook - just off th...
Posted by Paul Cook on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 03:17:00 PST

Heathcote Jam was great

Last night, I was guest axe slinger with The House Band at The Heathcote in Leytonstone for the wednesday blues jam. No Claudio on keys tonight as he is holidaying in his native Sardinia, so I was tre...
Posted by Paul Cook on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 04:44:00 PST

Pix

I have posted some pix from last night at The Seaxe Bar in our photos section. Paul C.
Posted by Paul Cook on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 01:41:00 PST

DEBUT

Our debut gig at the Seaxe Bar in Brentwood was a real success. The set made up of originals and covers was well received by the audience. Highlights were the Derek and The Dominoes classi...
Posted by Paul Cook on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:32:00 PST

This Saturday.

We are very much looking forward to our live debut at Seaxe on Saturday night. The doors will open at 8pm admission is five pounds. Seaxe, The Essex Arms, Warley Hill, Brentwood, Essex. Saturday 16th ...
Posted by Paul Cook on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 04:56:00 PST

Danny Stanford and Mitch Greaves to play on June 22nd

Paul's former musical partner in 'THE SCHEME', Danny Stanford will join Paul on stage at Seaxe in Brentwood on the 22nd June at The Brentwood acoustic weekender. Danny and Paul have not played to...
Posted by Paul Cook on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 06:31:00 PST

New addition to the band.

I would like to take this opportuniy to welcome Mitchell Greaves to the band in the role of Harmonica player and backing vocalist. In the last year I have played with Mitch on numerous occasions at th...
Posted by Paul Cook on Sun, 03 Jun 2007 03:37:00 PST