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Tommy McCook

ts, sax, 1927-1998 JM, Havana
Musician of Reggae
A.k.a. Thomas Matthew McCook

3 March 1927 – 5 May 1998 Founding member of The Skatalites and The Supersonics. Very important jamaican saxophone player. He was born in Havana, Cuba. When his father worked at Panama Canal, the familly moved to Jamaica in 1933. He went to Alpha School, which gave him a good musical eduction. His career started in 1943 when he performed in Eric Dean Orchestra, one of the best at that time on the whole island. Then he switched to Don Hitchman's sextet. This band was one of the first jamaican Bands ever got recorded (1952/1953). This happened at the first radio station in Jamaica, Z or Zed QI. In the early fifties, Tommy was a soloist in the greatest band to coalesce in Jamaica before The Skatalites, Roy Coburn's Blu-Flames featuring Don Drummond, Cluett Johnson and Ken Williams (6). In 1954 he moved to Nassau, Barbados to play gigs in Clubs next to Ernest Ranglin. 1956 he moved to Miami, Florida where he first got into contact with Jazz music. He was heavily influenced by hearing John Coltrane, whose tunes he first played when he moved back to Jamaica in 1962. He played with a lot of musicians, which can be found on a lot of early ska recordings, but until 1964 he always denied offer by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and Arthur "Duke" Reid. He was a known musician for adding Jazz to ska music. On sundays, he always went to play a regular session with other musicians like Jackie Mittoo, Lloyd Knibbs and Johnny Moore, which got later released as Jazz Jamaica. Out of this session emerged one of Jamaica's most important bands Skatalites(June 1964). The Skatalites made several hundred instrumental recordings, mostly for Dodd's Studio One and backed the gamut of Jamaica's vocalists on hundreds more. After Don Drummond murdered his girlfriend in 1965, they crashed and split up. McCook was now producing records for Reid's Treasure Isle. At that point he started his new band Supersonics. Tommy led them until they disintegrated on a trip to Montreal Canada in 1969. In 1973 he went to the U.K. to work with Jimmy Cliff's band for a BBC special on Cliff meeting Jazz artist Herbie Mann. After 1975 he played at Channel One's studio band Revolutionaries. In 1983, Tommy started to reanimate the Skatalites, which worked out well and they as they saw that they could make out a living of touring, they restarted. He stopped playing around 1995, when his health condition got worse. He died on May 5, 1998 leaving his second wife, eight children and fourteen grand children.

     
Instruments
  • Tenor sax
  • Saxophone
  • Flute
Genres
  • Reggae
  • R&B/Soul
  • Blues
Popular Tracks   
The Tide Is High on Version Galore by U-Roy
Rock Steady on Let's Do Rocksteady: The Story of Rocksteady 1966-68 by Various Artists
Perfidia on One Life to Live by Phyllis Dillon
Don't Stay Away on One Life to Live by Phyllis Dillon
Baba Boom (Festival '67) on Plebs OST by Various Artists
You Made Me so Very Happy on The Treasure Isle Story by Various Artists
Carry Go Bring Come on From Jamaica With Reggae by Justin Hinds & The Dominoes
Ali Baba (Version) on Tighten Up, Vol. 2 by Various Artists
Drive Her Home (aka Drive It Home) on Treasure Isle Presents: Original Reggae by Various Artists
Angel of the Morning on Soul of Jamaica by Various Artists

Track list and 30sec audio provided by


Band Members
Discography



Title Artist Year Type
Boss Cocky / Tommy's DreamThe Rude Girl / Tommy McCook2017Single
Going West / Joe LewisRico Rodriguez & Tommy McCook / The Bunny Lee Allstars2017Single
Tango BounceRaymond Harper With Tommy McCook & Lloyd Knibbs & The Carib Beats2016Single
Drums Of Fue Man Tru / Blues For IRoland Alphonso / Tommy McCook & The New Establishment2016Single
Silver Dollar / ApangaTommy McCook, Don Drummond & The Skatalites2016Single
The Sannic SoundsTommy McCook2015Album
Cast Your Faith To The Window / I Am The GreatestTommy McCook & Prince Buster's All Stars / Frank Cosmo2013Single
Sca-Balena / Two For OneRoland Alphonso & The Soul Brothers / Tommy McCook2013Single
Stick By Me / WindfallWinston Jarrett And The Righteous Flames / Tommy McCook2012Single
Dance Good / More MusicJohnny Clarke & Glen Brown / Tommy McCook & Rad Wilson2012Single
Dubbing With HornsTommy McCook2011Compil.
Deep In My Soul / Reggae To JeggaeEric "Monty" Morris / Tommy McCook2010Single
Soulful Music / Sound And SoulThe Emotions / Johnny Moore & Tommy McCook2010Single
Occupation / Don De LionTommy McCook And His The Skatalites / Don Drummond And His Band2008Single
Fook Sang / Starry NightTony & Dennis / Tommy McCook2007Single
Moon Invader / CardovaTommy McCook / Syd Jones And The Troubadours2006Single
Real Cool: The Jamaican King Of The Saxophone '66-'77Tommy McCook2005Compil.
Tommy's Flute / Charming VersionTommy McCook / Lloyd Charmers2004Single
Tommy McCook Featuring Bobby EllisTommy McCook Featuring Bobby Ellis2004Compil.
Blazing Horns / Tenor In RootsTommy McCook2003Compil.
Carry Go Bring ComeJustin Hinds & The Dominoes / Tommy McCook & The Skatalites2002Single
Tommy's Last StandTommy McCook2001Compil.
Fisherman SpecialTommy McCook2000Single
It May Sound SillyTommy McCook / Inge Larsen & I-Roy1999Single
The Best Of Tommy McCook And The SkatalitesTommy McCook1999Compil.
Cook With McCookTommy McCook1999Compil.
Latin Goes SkaTommy McCook & The Skatalites1998Album
The Authentic Ska Sound Of Tommy McCookTommy McCook1998Album
Yabby You Meets Tommy McCook In Dub - Sounds Of The 70'sYabby You, Tommy McCook1996Compil.
Cookin' ShuffleTommy McCook1995Album
Yabby U Meets Sly & Robbie Along With Tommy Mc CookYabby You, Sly & Robbie, Tommy McCook1982Album
Joy Times / No More StrugglingTommy McCook / Herman Marquis / Clint Eastwood1979Single
CyrusBobby Ellis, Tommy McCook & The Revolutionaries1979Single
Anyone Who Had A Heart / Youth ManWayne Jarrett / Tommy McCook / Glen Brown1979Album
Blue MoonCornell Campbell / Tommy McCook1979Album
Holigan / Shocker's RockJohn Holt / Tommy McCook, Richard Ace & The Skatalites & Disco Height1978Album
Blessed Are The Meak / Stepping HighThe Prophets & Trinity / Tommy McCook1978Album
Riding WestTommy McCook1978Album
InstrumentalTommy McCook1978Album
Riding ForwardWayne Wade & Tommy McCook1978Single
Riding ForwardTommy McCook1978Single
Soul SerenadeTommy McCook1978Album
Lovers RockTommy McCook1978Album
Blazing HornsTommy McCook & Bobby Ellis1977Album
Super Star - Disco RockersTommy McCook & The Aggrovators1977Album
Blazing / No WaterTommy McCook & Bobby Ellis1977Single
Confusion / The Eight MastersCornell Campbell / Tommy McCook1977Album
Ten To One / Tenor On The CallCornell Campbell / Tommy McCook & The Discosonics1977Album
Blazing Horns (Part 1 & 2) / Tears Of LoveDisco Reggae And Tommy McCook1977Single
I Shall Be Released / Jamaica BoleroFreddie McGregor & Brentford All Stars / Tommy McCook1977Album
La PalomaTommy McCook1976Single
Death TrapTommy McCook1976Single
Popcorn Pt. 1 / Popcorn Pt. 11Tommy McCook & Soul Defenders1976Single
Lovers TimeTommy McCook & The Aggrovators1976Album
Horny Dub (Glen Brown Meets Tommy McCook At Cross Roads Caledonia Place)Tommy McCook1976Album
Reggae In JazzTommy McCook1976Album
Don't Walk AloneTommy McCook And The Rhythm Rulers1976Single
Hot Head / UWII-Roy / Tommy McCook1976Single
Tunnel OneTommy McCook & Sound Dimension1976Single
RevengeTommy McCook1976Single
Drifter On The Ball / Don't Walk AloneBig Joe / Tommy McCook1976Single
King Tubby Meets The Agrovators At Dub StationTommy McCook & The Aggrovators1975Album
Billy JoeTommy McCook1975Single
Rock By Sir Dees Scorcher / Midnight SpecialTommy McCook1975Single
Step Forward YouthI-Roy vs. Prince Jazzbo / Tommy McCook And The Aggrovators1975Album
Kojak / CannonTommy McCook And The Aggrovators1975Single
Carry Go Bring Come / If Its Love You NeedJustin Hinds & The Dominoes / Tommy McCook & The Skatalites With Treasure Isle All Stars1975Single
Movin Out / Dance With MeTommy McCook1975Single
Brass RockersBunny Lee & King Tubby Present Tommy McCook And The Aggrovators1975Album
Green MangoTommy McCook and Bobby Ellis1974Album
Your Picture / Cool RockDotty & Bonny, Tommy McCook - Gladstone Anderson1974Single
African GoldTommy McCook1974Single
Bongo ITommy McCook & The Gladiators Band1974Single
Fisherman SpecialTommy McCook / Vivian Jackson1974Single
Kiss An Angel In The Morning / InezKen Parker / Tommy McCook1974Single
MurmuringThe Millions / Tommy McCook And Bobby Ellis1973Single
Sentimental Reason / Black OutCynthia Richards / Tommy McCook & Bobby Ellis1973Single
West Of Parade / Bubbling HornTommy McCook1973Single
One DreamTommy McCook1973Single
The Great Tommy McCookTommy McCook1973Single
The Watergate AffairTommy McCook1973Single
Sabotage / BlackoutTommy McCook & Bobby Ellis1973Single
The New PresidentTommy McCook & Bobby Ellis1973Single
Rocking The Drifter / AgainGladstone Anderson / Tommy McCook1972Single
Reggae Or Funky / AgainTommy McCook / Mudies All Stars1972Single
Shake It Loose / Shaking VersionKen Parker / Tommy McCook1972Single
Pressure Of Babylon / Tommy's DreamJackie Brown / Tommy McCook1972Single
More Music / King Tubby At The ControlTommy McCook & Rad Wilson / King Tubby1972Single
Midnight ConfessionPhyllis Dillon / Tommy McCook1972Single
Lively Up Yourself / LiveBob Marley & The Wailers / Tommy McCook1972Single
Pressure Of Babylon / Tommy's Hide AwayJackie Brown, Tommy McCook1972Single
Muhammad Ali / Tribute To Muhammad AliTommy McCook1972Single
Dracula / Special Agent 008Tommy McCook1972Single
Mood For Love / Eight Years AfterThe Heptones And The Now Generation / Tommy McCook1972Single
Soul Flute Part 1Tommy McCook1971Single
Someday / Tommy's VersionAudley Rollens / Tommy McCook1971Single
Invasion / The MoodLloyd Charmers / Tommy McCook1971Single
PirateThe Ethiopians / Tommy McCook And The Soul Syndicate1971Single
To The Other Man / StampedeHopeton Lewis With Tommy McCook & The Supersonics / Tommy McCook1971Single
Behold / Way Back HomeU-Roy And Tommy McCook1971Single
Rock With Soul (Soul Flute Part 2)Tommy McCook, Count Ossie1971Single
Behold / Way Back HomeU-Roy With Tommy McCook1971Single
Psalms 9 Keep In MindTommy McCook & The Observers1971Single
Invasion / The MoodLloyd Charmers / Tommy McCook1971Single
Sidewalk Doctor / Grooving Out On LifeTommy McCook / Ken Parker1971Single
One Life To Live One Love To Give / My Best DressPhyllis Dillon, Tommy McCook / Tommy McCook & The Supersonics1971Single
Testify / Super SoulU-Roy / Tommy McCook1970Single
Hope Village/ The VillageThe Tennors / Tommy McCook1970Single
I Can't Hide / Kansas CityKen Parker / Tommy McCook1970Single
Look Over Your Shoulder / The KissNora Dean & Veronica Douglas / Tommy McCook1970Single
Single Barrell / I Can't LoseTommy McCook / U-Roy1970Single
Ruff And Tuff / When You Call My NameStranger Cole & Tommy McCook / Stranger & Patsy1970Single
The Pill / Spring FeverBim - Bam & Clover / Tommy McCook1970Single
Mother's Tender Care / Soldier ManThe Ethiopians With Tommy McCook / Tommy McCook & The Supersonics1970Single
Working Kind / Open JawJohn Holt / Tommy McCook1970Single
You must leave me/Black bulletHopeton Lewis ,Joya Landis Tommy McCook1970Single
I Can't Lose / Single BarrelU-Roy / Tommy McCook1970Single
Boss Cocky / Tommy's DreamThe Rude Girl / Tommy McCook1970Single
The Avengers / Donkey ManTommy McCook / Laurel Aitken1969Single
Reggay At It's BestTommy McCook1969Compil.
Lock Jaw / My DesireTommy McCook And The Upsetters1969Single
Ease Me Up Officer / The SaintSoul Ofrous / Tommy McCook1969Single
Moon Invader / You Gotta Love MeWinston Wright with Tommy McCook / Radcliffe Ruffin1969Single
Dream Boat / Tommy's DreamTommy McCook1969Single
Spoogy / Monkey FiddleLester Sterling / Tommy McCook1969Single
In Times Like These / In Times Like These (Instrumental)Tommy McCook1969Single
KT 88 / 807Tommy McCook / Peter Tosh1969Single
Peanut VendorTommy McCook1969Single
Greater Jamaica Moon Walk - ReggayTommy McCook1969Album
My Last Word / Let's Join Hands TogetherRadcliffe Butler, Tommy McCook / The Melodians1968Single
Caltone Special / Bye, Bye, ByeTommy McCook, The Clarendonians1968Single
Peace And LoveThe Jamaicans With Tommy McCook1968Single
Last Flight To Reggae CityTommy McCook & Stranger Cole1968Single
Feel Good / Soulful MoodThe Mellotones / Tommy McCook1968Single
DevotedThe Paragons, Tommy McCook1968Single
Good ThingsThe Melodians, Tommy McCook1968Single
Girl I Got A DateAlton Ellis, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Tommy McCook1967Single
Love Is A Treasure / ZazucaThe Treasure Boy / Tommy McCook1967Single
Darling I Love You / SabooTommy McCook1967Single
Fook Sang / Starry NightTony & Dennis / Tommy McCook1967Single
Ain't That Lovin' You / Comet Rock SteadyAlton Ellis & The Flames / Tommy McCook1967Single
Last Train To Expo '67The Melodians With Tommy McCook1967Single
Wise Birds Follow Spring / Soul RockAlton Ellis & The Flames / Tommy McCook1967Single
1, 2, 3, Kick / What A FoolTommy McCook / The Treasure Isle Boys1967Single
This Is A Sad World / A Little Bit Of HeavenLloyd Williams / Tommy McCook1966Single
Rocket Ship / Turn Them BackTommy McCook / Justin Hinds & The Dominoes1965Single
Exodus / Help The WeakTommy McCook / Lee Perry1964Single
SauvittTommy McCook & The Skatalites1964Single
Cotton Tree / Punch You DownJoe White / Chuck Josephs / Tommy McCook & The Skatalites1964Single
Bongo ManBongo Man Byfield, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites1964Single
Over The River / Corner StoneJustin Hinds & The Dominoes, Tommy McCook & The Skatalites1964Single
Road Block / Chatty Chatty WomanTommy McCook / Lee Perry1964Single
Two For One / I Don't KnowTommy McCook / Lascelles Perkins1964Single
I Know The Lord / Ska-BaShenley Duffus / Tommy McCook1963Single
Junior Jive / PowerTommy McCook / Harris Seaton1963Single
Sca-Ba / Don't Let ThatTommy McCook / Shenley Duffus1963Single
Peanut Vendor / People's BusinessTommy McCook / Shenley Duffus1963Single
Just Once In My Life / Tommy's Hide AwayFreddie McGregor, Ernest Wilson / Tommy McCookSingle
Black Man's WordAlton Ellis, Tommy McCook, The Soul SyndicateSingle
Love In The AfternoonTommy McCook, Van Bacharach & The Sound Of HappinessSingle
Black Mans Dub / King SolomonThe Soul Vendors / Tommy McCook & The SkatalitesSingle
My Business / Silver DollarTommy McCook & The SkatalitesSingle
Way Out West / JR. JiveRoland Alphonso, Tommy McCook & The SkatalitesSingle
The Last Train / ExpoThe Melodians With Tommy McCookSingle
Judgement DayHopeton Lewis & Dennis Alcapone, Tommy McCook & The Soul SyndicateSingle
West Of ParadeTommy McCookSingle
Gorgonwise / KojakU-Roy, Tommy McCook, Bobby EllisSingle
Girl I've Got A Date / Lock JawAlton Ellis / Tommy McCookSingle
King Pharoah / King SolomonDelroy Wilson / Tommy McCookSingle
King Solomon / SinnersTommy McCook / Joe White & The MaytalsSingle
True True True / True True DubKen Parker, Tommy McCookSingle
Going HomeTommy McCook & Bobby EllisSingle
Festival RockTommy McCookSingle
Put It On / Don't Slam The DoorThe Wailers / Tommy McCookSingle
BeruitTommy McCookSingle
Tommy's Flute / Far Away LandTommy McCook / The AbyssiniansSingle
Way Out West / JR. JiveRoland Alphonso & The City Slickers / Tommy McCook & The SkatalitesSingle
AgainTommy McCook, Mudies All StarsSingle
Broad WayTommy McCookSingle
The Tide Is High / Tide DubThe Paragons, Tommy McCookSingle
West Of ParadeTommy McCookSingle
Mother's Tender Care / Soldier ManThe Ethiopians With The Eldorados & Tommy McCookSingle
Kiss An Angel Good Morning / Adam 12Ken Parker / Lynn Taitt And Tommy McCookSingle
Peace MakersTommy McCook, Sly & The RevolutionariesSingle
Something On Your Mind / SabotageHerbert Brown / Tommy McCook & Bobby EllisSingle
Sly And Robbie Presents Tommy McCookSly & Robbie Presents Tommy McCookAlbum
I'm Your Puppet / South EastGlen Brown / Tommy McCookSingle
I Roy The DukeI-Roy / Tommy McCookSingle
One Train Load Of CollieTommy McCookSingle
Riding West In The Sunset / Tommy McCook's FarewellTommy McCookSingle
Adams Apple / EverytimeTommy McCook / The MaytalsSingle
I'm Ready To Go / Flower PotEric "Monty" Morris / Tommy McCookSingle
Sensimena / You WrongTommy McCook / Tony TuffSingle
Riding West / Joyful ChristmasTommy McCook / Winston JonesAlbum
Carry Go Bring Come / Hill & Gully RideJustin Hinds & The Dominoes & Tommy McCook & The SkatalitesSingle
Oh Lord / Hotter DubLarry Marshall & Manta Jones / Tommy McCook & Tesfa All StarsSingle
Rock Steady / Last Train To Expo '67Alton Ellis & The Flames / The Melodians With Tommy McCookSingle
Cheater / Harvest In The EastDennis Brown / Tommy McCookSingle
Conquer Me / King SolomonDelroy Wilson / Tommy McCook & The SkatalitesSingle
True Born African / African VersionTommy McCook / The AggrovatorsSingle
Solid As The Rock / Dont Slam The DoorTommy McCookSingle
Bridge ViewTommy McCookAlbum
Tenayistillin / MandellaThe Abyssinians / Tommy McCookAlbum
Gorgonwise / KojakU-Roy / Tommy McCook & Bobby EllisSingle
Dance With Me / Rock With ITommy McCook / U-RoySingle
Dub Scrub Them / Dub Scrub ThemDillinger / Tommy McCookSingle
Rock Steady / Wall Street ShuffleAlton Ellis / Tommy McCookSingle
Dan-De-Lion / Eastern Standard TimeTommy McCookSingle
Trip To Mars / Bunch Of RoseLloyd Brevett & His The Skatalites / Dotty & Bonny, Tommy McCookSingle
Toronto Rock / Toronto DubVivian Hall / Tommy McCookSingle
Determination SkankTommy McCookSingle
L.S.D.Tommy McCookSingle
Waiting In VainJohnny Clarke & Dillinger / Tommy McCookAlbum
BroadwayTommy McCookSingle
Tar Baby / ArchieHerman Chin-Loy / Tommy McCookSingle
Moonlight Lover / I Love You TrueTommy McCookSingle
Mandela Part 2 (Satta)Tommy McCookSingle
Sidewalk Doctor / Sidewalk KillerTommy McCook / I-RoySingle
Broadway / Version DayTommy McCook / Earl "Wire" LindoSingle
1, 2, 3 Kick / Kiss Bam-BamTommy McCook / Bobby AitkenSingle
Cool Down / Theme From The SandpiperThe Silvertones, Tommy McCookSingle
Aint That Loving You / Every Body BawlingAlton Ellis & U-Roy With Tommy McCook / The MelodiansSingle
Rocking ChariotTommy McCook, Generation GapSingle
Tommy's FluteTommy McCookSingle
Bubble StruttTommy McCook, Generation GapSingle
King Pharoah / King SolomonDelroy Wilson / Tommy McCookSingle
Drummer Roach / Bad Cow SkankGladstone Anderson / Tommy McCook & Bobby EllisSingle
Mother's Tender Care / Soldier ManThe Ethiopians With Tommy McCook, Tommy McCook & The SupersonicsSingle
Wake The Nation / CanonU-Roy / Tommy McCook & Bobby EllisSingle
More Wood (Put Wood In The Fire) / Cotton TreeJackie Opel / Tommy McCook And The SkatalitesSingle
DraculaTommy McCook & Bobby EllisSingle
SearchingTommy McCookSingle
MandellaTommy McCookSingle
How Am I Gonna Live/Bubbling Horn/Mysterious NatureBob Andy / Rupie Edwards All Stars Featuring Tommy McCook / African BrothersAlbum
Satta Me No Born Yah / Tommy's FluteThe Abyssinians, Tommy McCookSingle
Mandella Part 2 / Charming VersionTommy McCook / Lloyd CharmersSingle
Inez / Soul SerenadeTommy McCookSingle
DraculaTommy McCookSingle
Fast MouthTommy McCookSingle
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Acknowledgements
To all the music fans that are contributing on Discogs, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia. Thanks to Franz Flückiger for providing Storygram used to visualize band membership.
Universal Link: https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=Tommy%20McCook
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