Matt Van Stone

Jesse Cook is an amazing guitarist. I don’t know how to better describe him. His style of music is this sort of jazzy African influenced flamenco. I have been listening to him for a few years now and since have missed two chances to see him, once in Calgary and another time out in Banff for different reasons. I’m hoping I can make it out for this show.

The funny thing is I used to hate Jesse Cook. I think it’s because I never really listened to the music from a guitarist’s point of view, which is strange because that’s how I generally listen to all music. Anyway the point is the people around me who played his music played it to death and even though I tried to never listen to it, I could still pick out one of his riffs any day.

It was not until one day I was discussing wicked flamenco guitarists with a buddy of mine we were talking about Strunz and Farah and I said “hey, have you ever heard Jesse Cook, he’s Canadian and uh, has wicked”. Funny thing is even though I was bringing him up I never really listened to him by choice. If you have not heard of him I highly suggest heading over to the official Jesse Cook website and checking out some of the videos and sound bytes he has over there. If you like music you won’t be sorry.

For Immediate Release: September 19, 2005
Cap City Music / Global Arts Concerts present

JESSE COOK
in concert
October 18th, 8pm
Red Deer College Arts Centre Mainstage

Juno Award-winning rumba flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook is a bona-fide international phenomenon. He has sold over one million albums worldwide, garnered critics’ praise and audience’s passionate devotion from one end of the globe to another. He brings his full-force live show, complete with jaw-dropping technique, passionate riffs, and near-superstar charisma to the Red Deer College Arts Centre Tuesday, October 18th.

Canadian-born Cook’s impressive digital pyrotechnics are at the heart of his shows, performing a style of playing described loosely as rumba flamenco. His music, however, seems to capture the essence of a world of music influences: Africa, Cuba, Egypt, Brazil and you hear the melodies and rhythms of exotic locales weave their way through his tunes. The result is intensely engaging, almost mesmerizing world music in the truest sense of the term.

Cook began classical guitar lessons in his native Toronto at age 6, but when he discovered improvisational music he was hooked. He attended the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada and later Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, practicing for up to 10 hours a day (he still aims for four to five hours’ daily practice, when his touring and performing schedule allows).

He has spent his lifetime listening to and absorbing the sounds of world cultures, and even with 17 years of formal training behind him, continues to discover new frontiers for his music. Cook continues to learn through the music of other cultures – his compositions and arrangements testament to his ability to inhabit these traditions and incorporate them in a seamless and innovative way.

He has toured the globe (including the US, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong) on the strength of his ever-increasing discography. He has amassed a remarkable collection of recordings that began with Tempest in 1995 and continued with Gravity in 1996, Vertigo in 1998, Free Fall in 2000 and Nomad in 2003. His sixth CD, Montreal, was recorded at the Montreal Jazz Festival and released in 2004 to rave reviews.

It is his live shows with his stellar band that showcases Jesse Cook’s raw talent, electrifying energy and ability to deliver an evening of music that’s riveting from beginning to end. As autumn outdoor temperatures begin to drop, Red Deer audiences are in for a bit of indoor heat!

TICKETS: Ticketmaster.ca / 340-4455
$35 plus charges

Sponsored by: Red Deer Advocate / CKUA Radio