Dolo made four lp's in the 70's for Xanadu Records and appeared on several others for that label.Two of his lps were collected on a cd under Art Pepper and Blue Mitchell's names for a foreign label.That music resonates deeply with me as I heard him many times,40 years ago,in that same company and he was a constant on the L.A. Jazz scene with Teddy Edwards,Harry Edison,Jimmy Forrest,Richie Kamuca,Herb Ellis,Sonny Criss and many others.He was a much respected pianist and was often the choice for club dates,back in the days you could walk into a club and buy a beer,stand at the bar and nobody would hassle you for a cover or minimum and pretty much stay all night,ok,maybe a few more beers and some reefer in the alley between sets.
He was in the Bud Powell influenced school of piano and his solos always flowed with great melody.He was a fine composer as well,"Field day" is a great Bop line and his "Affair in Havana" was recorded by Dexter Gordon on his "Resurgence" lp for Jazzland in 1960,Dolo is on that session.Dexter loved Cokers's playing and worked with him for every gig he played when he returned to L.A. to see his mother every Christmas,in fact in wasn't Christmas if you didn't go hear Dexter at least a few times and as the sets went on and Dex was feeling his cognac he would grab the microphone and sing "the Christmas song".
Dolo Coker was on a handful of late 50's early 60's sessions with Gene Ammons,Sonny Stitt,Junior Cook and a few others,but never had a session under his own name until the 70's.Major talent...minor interest,that was Jazz in those days.
He was in the Bud Powell influenced school of piano and his solos always flowed with great melody.He was a fine composer as well,"Field day" is a great Bop line and his "Affair in Havana" was recorded by Dexter Gordon on his "Resurgence" lp for Jazzland in 1960,Dolo is on that session.Dexter loved Cokers's playing and worked with him for every gig he played when he returned to L.A. to see his mother every Christmas,in fact in wasn't Christmas if you didn't go hear Dexter at least a few times and as the sets went on and Dex was feeling his cognac he would grab the microphone and sing "the Christmas song".
Dolo Coker was on a handful of late 50's early 60's sessions with Gene Ammons,Sonny Stitt,Junior Cook and a few others,but never had a session under his own name until the 70's.Major talent...minor interest,that was Jazz in those days.