Damen Cook & Friends Perform for Music at the Market Presented by Mercy Health
Music at the Market Presented by Mercy Health will continue Thursday, July 14 at 7:00 on the lawn of the Commodore Schoolyard, 140 E. Indiana Avenue with music by Damen Cook & Friends.
Drummer and vocalist Damen Cook will bring his longtime friends, Gene Parker, and Jeff Halsey to perform a night of jazz standards, blues, and R&B. The three musicians have a shared history in the jazz community and are known for stellar performances as well educational endeavors contributing to jazz appreciation and support in the area.
Gene Parker, a Perrysburg resident has been referred to as a legend in his own time. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays and teaches saxophone, vibes, clarinet, flute, trumpet, percussion, bass, piano, organ, and trombone. Mr. Parker has been an effective driver of jazz culture both locally and nationally for more than 60 years. While performing with world class musicians on a national level has never rested on his laurels on a local level as he continues to work hard to maintain his own high standards for his performances. He has led numerous impactful jazz programs that influenced and inspired a new generation of up-and-coming jazz musicians.
Bassist Jeff Halsey is Professor Emeritus at Bowling Green State University and teaches jazz history and improvisation, as well as applied jazz bass studies. Throughout his 38-year academic career, Halsey has remained an active freelance musician distinguished as one of the region’s first call jazz bassists for touring musicians performing in the region. On a local level he has directly impacted the jazz community in Bowling Green by starting and sustaining a weekly jazz session in downtown Bowling Green for over 35 years. The sessions have included numerous internationally known jazz musicians and inspired a slate of jazz students on their professional launching pad.
Drummer, vocalist, and band leader Damen Cook works behind the scenes at NBC24 reporting and shooting local news stories. He is the son of the late legendary jazz guitarist Leon Cook. Mr. Cook began playing drums at age 4 and playing professionally as a youngster. His passion for playing the drums and singing has continued into a successful music career embracing the jazz traditions and performing with legendary musicians such as Hank Marr, Jon Hendricks, Martha Reevs and the Vandellas, The Spinners and more.
Next concert: July 21- Not Fast Enuff
The Music at the Market concert series runs in conjunction with the Farmers Market which features booths with fresh foods, products, and food trucks. This concert series is made possible by The Perrysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mercy Health and coordinated by Main ART-ery.
Press Release Contact Name: Robin Ballmer
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: 419 902 2782
Organization Name: Main ART-ery.com
Website or Link: www.mainart-ery.com
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