DOC COOK

Charles L. Cooke (September 3, 1891 – December 25, 1958) was an American jazz bandleader and arranger, who performed and recorded under the stage name Doc Cook. Unlike many early jazz musicians who used monikers denoting advanced degrees, Cook was a Doctor of Music awarded by the Chicago Musical College in 1926.  Born in Louisville he first worked as a composer and arranger in Detroit before moving to Chicago around 1910. Cook became resident leader of the orchestra at Paddy Harmon's Dreamland Ballroom in Chicago from 1922–27, acting as conductor and musical director. The ensemble recorded under several names, such as Cookie's Gingersnaps, Doc Cook and his 14 Doctors of Syncopation, and Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra. Among those who played in Cook's band were Freddie Keppard, Jimmie Noone, Johnny St. Cyr, Zutty Singleton, Andrew Hilaire, and Luis Russell. After 1927 Cook's orchestra played in Chicago at the Municipal Pier and read more...