Alex Coke

Alex Coke
Born
Alexander Seton Coke

(1953-11-13) November 13, 1953 (age 72)
Dallas, Texas, United States
GenreJazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentsSaxophone, flute, woodwinds
Years active1976–present
Websitealexcoke.home.xs4all.nl

Alexander Seton Coke (born November 13, 1953, in Dallas, Texas) is a jazz saxophonist and flutist.

Early life

Coke was born in Dallas on November 13, 1953. He started playing the flute at the age of eight. He graduated high school in Austin, Texas, and then studied flute at the University of Colorado Boulder. He played in local groups while at university and received private lessons from Clifford Jordan and Lew Tabackin. In 1977, after graduating, he settled in Austin.

Later life and career

Coke and his wife, Mary Yznaga, lived in Washington, D.C., in the early 1980s. This was followed by two years in Europe, after which they returned to Austin.

Coke toured with the Dutch jazz ensemble the Willem Breuker Kollektief between 1990 and 2000. In the late 1990s, he lived in the Netherlands while maintaining some activities in Austin. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Coke reported on how he was continuing as a musician: "First Presbyterian Church where I have played for over a dozen years has continued to keep my paycheck coming in. I'm teaching online".

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Willem Breuker

With others

Source:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Kennedy, Gary W. (2003). "Coke, Alex(ander Seton)". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.J540400. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. (subscription, Wikilibrary access, or UK public library membership required)
  2. 1 2 3 Trachtenberg, Jay (July 22, 2005). "Iraqnophobia: Alex Coke Saxes Political". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  3. ↑ Margasak, Peter (November 2010). "Reedist Willem Breuker: An Iconoclastic Cultural Champion". Down Beat. Vol. 77, no. 11. p. 17.
  4. ↑ Hernandez, Raoul (July 8, 2020). "Checking In: Alex Coke Plays Saxophone in His Driveway". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Discography". Xs4all.nl. Retrieved May 31, 2021.