Willem Breuker Kollektief! Creative Opportunity Orchestra! Hostile club owners!

Saxophonist and composer, Alex Coke cannot be bound to one location. In this episode, we talk about unique collaborations with hip cinemas, bright moments in the midst of tragedy that remind us that people are good, and a tell-tale sign that the gig might go sideways: when the critiques start before downbeat.

FEATURED RELEASE:

Alex Coke

“Iraqnophobia” (2005)

Getting to Know: Alex!

Musician/composer Alex Coke is a native of Dallas, Texas, who's interest in music and art led to studying flute and listening to jazz artists throughout his school years. He received his B.A. from The University of Colorado at Boulder in 1976 with an emphasis on flute performance. He went on to play, teach, tour, and record worldwide excelling on flute and saxophones as well as a variety of other woodwind instruments. An improviser at heart, Coke’s eclectic perspective has led him to explore music from Be-Bop to Huddie Ledbetter, Ornette Coleman, Derek Bailey, and beyond. His flute studies have ranged from Eric Dolphy to Indian ragas on the bamboo flute as well as the extended techniques such as those researched by Robert Dick, Ann LaBerge and Wil Offermans.

As a "tough Texas tenor" and featured flute and saxophone soloist on numerous projects in the USA, Europe, and Africa, Coke has had the honor of working with some of the world’s most creative and diverse musicians including Tina Marsh, Steven Feld, The Creative Opportunity Orchestra, Reeds and Deeds, Accra Trane Station, KlezEdge, Gerald Wilson, Charles Tolliver, The Paradise Regained Orchestra, The John Jordan Trio, Arson, and The Mysterious Quartet from Helsinki (featuring Chris Duarte), Greezy Wheels, The Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra, White Denim, and many others.

Watch the interview on our YouTube channel here!