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,
theWillem Breuker Kollektief. An improvisor 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, a collaboration with longtime
partner, pianist Rich Harney with Martin Banks on trumpet. Coke and Harney have recently
released a new cd of spirituals called "Soul Prayers." He 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.
Coke's most recent release, entitled "Wake Up DeadMan/Iraqnophobia," features two large group
compositions commisioned 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 written original works thoughout the years 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
More information may be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~alexcoke/