Junior Cook

Herman "Junior" Cook (July 22, 1934 – February 3, 1992) was a hard bop tenor saxophone player.

Biography

Cook was born in Pensacola, Florida. After playing with Dizzy Gillespie in 1958, Cook gained some fame for his longtime membership in the Horace Silver Quintet (1958–1964); when he and Blue Mitchell left that band, Cook played in Mitchell's quintet (1964–1969). Later associations included Freddie Hubbard, Elvin Jones, George Coleman, Louis Hayes (1975–1976), Bill Hardman (1979–1989), and the McCoy Tyner big band.

In addition to many appearances as a sideman, Junior Cook recorded as a leader for Jazzland (1961), Catalyst (1977), Muse, and SteepleChase.

He also taught at Berklee School of Music for a year during the 1970s.

In the early 1990s Cook was playing with Clifford Jordan and also leading his own group. He died in his apartment in New York City.

Junior Cook was the brother of Robert Cook Sr. His family still resides in Pensacola,FL. Junior and his Brother Robert both pursued a musical career, but Robert would ultimately settle down and start a family.