Alex CokeAustin, Texas 78756
e-mail:
[email protected] Coke, born in Dallas, Texas, received his B.A. from the University Of Colorado at Boulder in 1976, with emphasis on flute performance. An original member of the Austin-based Creative Opportunity Orchestra, Coke has performed with Tina Marsh in various formations for over 25 years. Before moving to Amsterdam in the early '90's he received several local awards including:1990 Best Saxophonist, Music City Critics Poll/Austin Texas
1990 Best Jazz Bands Music City Critics Poll/Austin Texas
(Countenance #1, and Worthy Constituents #3)
1990 Best Unsigned Bands Musician Magazine
(Countenance, and Worthy Constituents)
1988-1989 Best Jazz Band, Austin Chronicle Music, Awards (Chris Duarte and Justus)From 1990-2000 he toured and recorded with the internationally renowned Dutch jazz group, the Willem Breuker Kollektief. An improviser at heart, Coke's eclectic attitude has led him to explore everything from Be-Bop to Huddie Ledbetter. His flute studies have ranged from Eric Dolphy to Indian ragas on the bamboo flute to extended flute techniques such as those researched by Robert Dick, Ann LaBerge and Wil Offermans.Coke's multifarious bands include the Live Action Brass Band, the Leadbelly Legacy Band, New Texas Swing, and his post-bop quintet, The Worthy Constituents, collaborations with longtime partners, pianist Rich Harney and Tina Marsh. Coke and Harney released a new cd of spirituals called "Soul Prayers." Coke has worked with Gerald Wilson, Charles Tolliver, the Paradise Regained Orchestra and the Trio Henk de Jonge. He can also be heard with the John Jordan Trio, the Mysterious Quartet From Helsinki featuring Chris Duarte, Rob Verdurmen's Double Drummer Bill, as well as the recent Greezy Wheels cd HipPOP and Rajamani Ensemble.Coke's most recent release, entitled "Wake Up DeadMan/Iraqnophobia," features two large group compositions commissioned by Tina Marsh and The Creative Opportunity Orchestra. It was recorded in the fall of 2004 and is on the VoxLox label which spotlights humanitarian and ecological causes. Coke has also composed for various groups including: The Worthy Constituents, Creative Opportunity Orchestra, J.A.M.A.D., New Texas Swing, Carl Smith Tentet, Ramone Herman, and Labor of Love: A Rehearsal For Labor and Childbirth.More information may be found at:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~alexcoke/
