Cooke n Green Bio Page

COOKE N GREEN (CURLEY COOKE & PAUL GREEN)

COOKE n GREEN (Paul Green & Curley Cooke)

PAUL GREEN's 35-year professional career began in New Jersey in 1968 with The Blackberry Booze Band. He also performed with other Jersey musicians including Bruce Springsteen, The E Street Band, Clarence Clemons, and Little Steven Van Zandt. Moving to Oakland, California, in 1975, Paul became a member of the house band at a popular blues spot, Eli's Mile High Club, performing there weekly and recording two albums with JJ Malone and Troyce Key. From 1975 to 1989 he performed throughout the Bay Area with his own band and other musicians, including Sonny Rhodes, Little Frankie Lee, JJ "Bad Boy" Jones, Cool Papa, Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulson, Pee Wee Crayton, John Little John, and others.

In 1989 Paul relocated to Chicago where he continued to "cool himself" in the blues. He performed in such legendary Chicago blues clubs as Buddy Guy's, Rosa's, Kingston Mines, and Blues Etc., and shared the stage with such notables as Sugar Blue and Junior Wells. Paul came to the Seattle area in 1991 and promptly won the Washington Blues Society's award for "Best Blues Harmonica" in 1992. More recently, he won this award again in 2001, 2003 and 2004, and was also voted "Best Male Vocalist" in 2004. Paul has recorded extensively with Dan Dean Productions for commercial and studio productions and has been performing locally in numerous venues. Paul also leads his own hard-hitting Chicago-style electric blues quartet, Straight Shot, whose schedule is listed on the "Upcoming Performances" page of this site under his own name. For more information about Paul, check out this interview from the July 2003 Bluesletter. You can also visit Paul's own website at www.paulgreenblues.com.

CURLEY COOKE and PAUL GREEN's association began when Paul walked into Bad Albert's in Ballard where Curley was performing solo. In 1996 they recorded a live album at Bad Albert's titled Cooke & Green, and in 2000 they released House Party, an impromptu recording of their acoustic performance at a private party. Their music is played on Western Washington radio stations (including KPLU and KBCS), and they are currently performing at colleges, clubs, and festivals throughout the area.

COOKE 'n' GREEN's music is constantly evolving and growing even as they are performing -- they leave the door open to change through spontaneity which audiences find exciting, interesting, and refreshing. In 2001 the Washington Blues Society bestowed three BB Awards upon Paul & Curley's unique musical endeavor: "Best Traditional Act," "Best Acoustic Guitar," and "Best Harmonica." Paul & Curley received three more BB Awards in 2004: "Best Traditional Act," "Best Male Vocalist," and "Best Harmonica."

Bookings: 253-945-7441

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COOKE 'n' GREEN HAVE PERFORMED AT THESE FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS:

Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival || Jazz in the Valley || Bumbershoot || Sunbanks Rhythm & Blues Festival || Juan de Fuca Festival || Seattle Out to Lunch Summer Concerts || Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival || Vashon Strawberry Festival || Kent Cornucopia Days || Issaquah Music Festival || Prosser Street Painting & Blues Festival || Burien Strawberry Festival || Ritzville Blues Festival

"Paul Green's harmonica slides up your backbone sweet and soft. He is one of those few harmonica players who just never seem to be hyperventilating. He is also one of the best 'rhythm' harmonica players I have ever heard. Curley Cooke's guitar (and his foot) do their part to keep the rhythm solid and rocking. When he groans out his inspired solos you just have to sit back and marvel at his great finger picking style."
---Lenny, WA Blues Society Bluesletter [Feb. 2000]