Band Tutor Damian Cook

I fell in love with the Saxophone at an early age when I heard a Big Band playing Christmas tunes on the High Street of my home town of Bangor, North Wales.  After studying flute for a couple of years (no saxophones available at school ! ) I finally got my hands on a saxophone and began the journey that would eventually lead me to the renowned Leeds College of Music, where I studied for 3 years, graduating in 2001 with a BA  in Jazz Studies. Over the years I have toured internationally and performed with artists including….The Four Tops, The Temptations, Martha Reeves, Vandellas, The Drifters , Mary Wilson (The Supremes), Paloma Faith, Natasha, Hamilton (Atomic Kitten), Roy Wood (Wizard/ELO/The Move), Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones) , The James Hunter Six, Stone Foundation, Si Cranstoun, Nine Below Zero, Jimmy Jamess and the Vagabonds, The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. I have also performed in the West End and toured with shows including Chicago, Avenue Q, The Rat Pack and Bugle Boy. In 2004 I was awarded the Outstanding Soloist Award in the BBC Radio 2 Big Band Competition. I also lead my own jazz groups and have played and recorded with many prominent UK players including Dave O’Higgins, Alan Barnes, Clare Teal, Martin Shaw, Dave Green, Rob Barron, Sam Dunn etc. In 2020 I released my debut album as a leader – see the Album page for more info… I also work as an arranger and  teacher of saxophone, flute and clarinet.