THE COOKERS

THE SIDE DOOR / SEPTEMBER 13

Inspired by the landmark Blue Note live recording The Night of the Cookers: Live at Club la Marchal (1965-66), featuring the dueling trumpets of Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan, The Cookers was organized by David Weiss as a vehicle for hard-bop and post-bop compositions. Each member contributes music and arrangements to the repertoire. The septet has experienced little turnover during its nearly two decades together, although every member leads projects of his own. The ensemble includes trumpeters Eddie Henderson and David Weiss, alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, tenor saxophonist Azar Lawrence, pianist George Cables, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Billy Hart. Audiences have come to expect fireworks from these seasoned bandleaders. Their most recent album is Look Out! (Gearbox, 2021). KD