Crushing Classical

Michael Cooke is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer, seamlessly blending the worlds of jazz and classical music. A two Emmy Awards and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Cooke’s versatility shines through in his mastery of soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones, flute, soprano and bass clarinets, bassoon, and percussion. A cum laude graduate in composition from the University of North Texas, his academic pursuits encompassed jazz, ethnomusicology, music history, theory, and composition. Beginning his professional orchestral career in 1991, Michael performed with numerous symphonies across North Texas. His talent has taken him to stages in Europe, Mexico, and all over the United States. Since 1994, Cimarron Music Press has been publishing many of his compositions, reflecting his diverse musical influences and skills. After moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, Michael continued to forge new paths in both improvised and composed music. His work is a reflection of a rich multicultural experience, blend