Alex Coke
Austin, Texas 78756
e-mail: alexcoke@xs4all.nl
Alex 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/
The DarkSyde Show, October 9-10 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts!
The DarkSyde Show, a Pink Floyd repertory company, celebrates Pink Floyd’s entire career, with live performances of the band's legendary music, including Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. The nine-piece band performs faithful renditions of the music, accompanied by a professional production of dazzling lights and multimedia.
The DarkSyde Show, a live performance and audio/visual production, celebrates the music of Pink Floyd and honors the third anniversary of Syd Barrett’s passing at the Hideout Theater, 617 Congress Avenue, July 17 and 18. Tickets are available at www.DarkSydeShow.com for two shows each night at 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. Seating is general admission.
Photo credit: dhillsphotography.com
Photo: back row left to right: Marcus Cardwell, John Groves, Keith Luedke; front row left to right: Jennifer Zavaleta, Clay Nash, Candace Bellamy, Bruce Logan, Kelley Dickinson
SEE THIS BAND IS BACK ON FOX SEVEN NEWS AUGUST 15TH, RETURNING TO THE SAXON PUB AUGUST 13TH AT MIDNIGHT AND SEE THE REVIEW OF THE CD IN THIS WEEKS CHRONICLE, LOVE YOU AND YOURS ALEX
Alex I wanted to come to the show with you and Dillon, but I did not know where the place was. Hope to see you soon. Great music on your page. Sow your seeds. Keep the beat. Funky "G"
Heya Alex! I have retired after 34 years. It still has not hit me, but I am enjoying naps and sleeping in so far. Hope you are well, old friend. Big Daddy Bull Dada
Hi there Alex! so you are coming down to Monterrey fest!!!! awsome! it is gonna be a great meeting... wish I would be involved in this one...;-( ... anyway....it IS gonna be a bomb!!!!...see you soon!!! pace, milo
I have been very busy because I am RETIRING from work as a scientist after 33.5 years, and they have confirmed my last day will be March 28. I have been working at home on a final technical manuscript - so the time is zooming by. I am having dreams where I am at work and nobody knows me - I am a nobody - etc. Big changes and excitement - kinda anxious and kinda lightheaded. I am already packing up and clearing out my stuff at the office.
Big news! I have an art show up! I applied for an "Art in Public Places" program with the City of Aurora, Colorado last winter, and was chosen as an alternate. Well, the curator lady called a couple of weeks ago and asked me to bring some work over. So I have a dozen pieces up in the Aurora city center at the courthouse - in the jury waiting room... and it will be displayed until May 31. A free show - all right! Strangely - I had a Russian Photo web page do a feature on me - check it out!
I posted some art on www.myartspace.com and they liked my work and put me on the Flash feature slideshow. So some good things happening on the art scene.
Hope you are well and keeping out of trouble! your Colorado buddy, Big Doug
