The Cookers

ARTIST PERSONNEL Billy Harper tenor saxophone Donald Harrison tenor saxophone Eddie Henderson trumpet David Weiss trumpet George Cables piano Cecil McBee bass Billy Hart drums A multi-generational powerhouse band far greater than the sum of their legendary parts, The Cookers have each made an estimable mark on the jazz world as both leaders and sidemen since the 1960s. Founded by acclaimed trumpeter David Weiss, the band is made up of a dizzying array of jazz giants. Fiery tenor saxophonist Billy Harper is a veteran of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and led a succession of seminal recordings including the iconic Capra Black. New Orleans-born Donald Harrison came up through the jazz academy that was drum legend Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, and has become one of the most formidable saxophonists in jazz. Audacious trumpeter Eddie Henderson gained fame as part of Herbie Hancock’s influential electric Mwandishi group, eventually releasing over 20 sessions. Pianist George Cables is one of jazz’s most enduring composers and performers, with over 20 albums under his belt as leader and work with Dexter Gordon, Bobby Hutcherson and Joe Henderson. Bass legend Cecil McBee has led a storied career, recording and performing with artists ranging from Pharoah Sanders and Sam Rivers to Wayne Shorter and Charles Lloyd. Drummer Billy Hart cut his teeth with Herbie Hancock’s sextet, Eddie Harris, Miles Davis, and Stan Getz among countless others before establishing himself as a superlative bandleader. From their inception and release of their debut album, Warriors, The Cookers have decidedly been a band, not a one-off assemblage of veterans playing a predictable list of standards. Quite the opposite – they are a cohesive unit performing their own finely wrought compositions with more fire and passion than the generations of musicians they’ve inspired.