Tommy McCook

Tommy McCook (4 March 1927 – 5 May 1998) was a Jamaican saxophonist. A founding member of The Skatalites, he also directed The Supersonics for Duke Reid, and backed many sessions for Bunny Lee or with The Revolutionaries at Channel One Studios in the 1970s.

Biography

Early life Thomas Matthew McCook was born March 4, 1927. While some sources claim he was born to Jamaican parents in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Jamaica in 1933,

He was raised by his mother,

Career McCook joined Eric Deans' Orchestra in 1943 after Deans selected him from the graduating class at the Alpha School. He spent several years playing in various groups, including Don Hitchman's sextet and Roy Coburn's Blu-Flames. McCook would later call jazz his "first love" and additionally cite Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins, Lester Young, and Ornette Coleman as influences. He was also part of the Rockers All Stars, the group responsible for the film's instrumental music.

After a heart attack in 1995, McCook temporarily withdrew from touring with the reformed Skatalites, a change which became permanent in 1996. He recorded on the band's albums through the mid-1990s until a triple-bypass surgery kept him from the Ball of Fire (1997) sessions.

McCook died of pneumonia and heart failure, aged 71, in Conyers, Georgia, on May 5, 1998. His funeral was held May 17 in Jamaica at the National Arena. Sister Mary Ignatius, who taught a young McCook at the Alpha Boys School, attended his funeral.

Honors On Hero's Day in 1975, McCook was honored for his contributions to Jamaica's music with the Order of Distinction at the Officer rank. The ceremony took place at King's House and his insignia was presented by Governor-General Florizel Glasspole. In 1997, The Slackers paid tribute to McCook with "Cooking for Tommy," an instrumental track on their album Redlight.

Selected discography Top Secret (1969, Techniques) The Sannic Sounds Of Tommy McCook (1974, Micron Music Limited / South East Music Limited) Released in the United Kingdom as Horny Dub (1976, Grounation) Reggae In Jazz (1976, Eve) Cookin' Shuffle (1995, Jamaica Authentic) The Authentic Ska Sound of Tommy McCook (1998, Moon Records) Down On Bond Street (1999, Trojan Records) Tommy's Last Stand (2001, Creole) Blazing Horns/Tenor In Roots (2003, Blood & Fire) Real Cool: The Jamaican King of the Saxophone '66-'77 (2005, Trojan Records)

With The Skatalites Tommy McCook & The Skatalites - The Skatalite! (1969, Treasure Island)

With Bobby Ellis Green Mango (1974, Attack) Blazing Horns (1977, Grove Music)

With The Aggrovators Brass Rockers (1975, Total Sounds) Released in the United Kingdom as Cookin' (1975, Horse) King Tubby Meets The Aggrovators At Dub Station (1975, Live and Love) Super Star - Disco Rockers (1977, Weed Beat) Released in the United Kingdom as Hot Lava (1977, Third World) Instrumental Reggae (1992, RAS) Show Case - 1975 (1997, Culture Press)

With Yabby You Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook In Dub (Peacemaker) Yabby You Meets Sly & Robie Along With Tommy McCook (Prophets)

With Herbie Mann Reggae (Atlantic, 1973) Reggae II (Atlantic, 1973 )