A product of a Northern California upbringing and a long dose of Bostonian asceticism, pianist Ken Cook was raised in a family milieu of asymmetirc appreciation for the arts and industry. Struggling to find a path of artistic and aesthetic solitude Ken made his way from San Francisco to Boston in the mid 80's to study at the Berklee College of Music under a Chick Corea scholarship followed by a Masters in Jazz Performance at the New England Conservatory. Afterwards he embarked upon an eclectic and varied career that included a lot of time in blues clubs, wedding halls, jazz clubs, dank session basements and lone recording studios. Travels throughout New England and the southern states playing music with Blues belter Michelle Willson and a few tours through Brazil, Western Europe and the Caribbean with Jazz and Blues icon Johnny Adams brought him closer to a connection with the roots of fundamental expression.
Jazz in New England has had a long tradition of being both conservative and the wellspring of angular, aggressive post bop avante gardism. Ken's brief participation in the shadows of Ken Vandermark's forceful and liberating foray into a true freedom of expression had a formative and willful impression on Ken's approach as an improviser and composer.
A Monday night organ trio gig for almost two years under the leadership of drummer Brian Kelley was an exploration in finding tight, blazing grooves and a chance to sift through some older gems of compositions by a few forgotten composers. Timo Shanko, Steve Fell and Mike Duke were regulars and each bringing fresh insight.
His affinity for Jazz, Blues, R&B, Latin and Brazilian, Funk, Pop, and Rock music and discovering the threads that are sewn among them continues unabated.
He has shared the stage and /or recording studio with James Montgomery, New Orleans vocalist Johnny Adams, Jimmy Giuffre, Luciana Souza, Duke Robillard, actor/singer Jim Belushi, Tanya Donelly, Michelle Willson, George Russell, Vinx, The Holms Brothers, Claudio Ragazzi, Brian Kelley and Social Lubrication, The Part Time Lovers, Van Walls, Bob Moses, Alex Alvear, Thomas, Hebb, John Calloway, Benny Sharoni, Aquilles Baez, John Ramsay, Bruce Gerts, John Lockwood, Rich Greenblatt, Mike Mele, Ana Norgaard, Ted Casher, Matt Steckler, Bob Gullotti, Gifrants, Mike Duke, Vince Lateano, Chris Amberger, Al Molina, Akira Tana, Art Lewis, Cliff Hugo, Kendrick Freeman, Rob Roth, Michael Aragon, Paul Distel with performances throughout the US, South America, and Europe.
He has studied with Jerry Bergonzi, Mike Marra, Charlie Banacos, George Russell, Bob, Moses, Bevan Manson, Cecil McBee, John Lockwood, and Donald Berman.
After a long stay in Boston, Ken has returned to San Francisco to embark on new projects.
