Walk In The Park

A Walk In The Park is an absolute delight to listen to from start to finish. The complexity is in the simplicity. The music reflects how Jerry is as a person: swinging and soulful. The all-star Vancouver rhythm section of pianist Chris Gestrin, bassist John Lee and drummer Jesse Cahill provide the perfect foil for Jerry's bluesy flourishes a la Arnett Cobb, Stanley Turrentine and Willis Jackson.Tenor saxophonist Jerry Cook lists Stanley Turrentine and Gene Harris among his influences, so when he leads a jazz ensemble, you just know it will be a soulful, bluesy outing. This album of standards, ballads and originals was recorded soon after Cook debuted his quartet at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver last fall. His bandmates are Chris Gestrin (piano), Jesse Cahill (drums) and John Lee (bass.) The '+' in the band's name is for guitarist Dave Sikula, who joins on certain tunes. Look forward to their Horace Silver-inspired take on 'Summertime,' a surprisingly swinging arrangement of 'Smile' and their transparent touch on 'Soul Eyes.'