Pianist

A multi-generational powerhouse band far greater than the sum of their legendary parts, The Cookers have each made an estimable mark on the jazz world as both leaders and sidemen since the 1960s. Founded by acclaimed trumpeter David Weiss, the band is made up of a dizzying array of jazz giants.

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The Cookers

SFJAZZ Center

George Cables is considered a monument of modern jazz. This 80-year-old New Yorker has played, both live and in the studio, with Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, and Dizzy Gillespie throughout his long career. His “collection” of drummers is extraordinary: Art Blakey, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, and Tony Williams. Two central partnerships: the quartet of Dexter Gordon and Art Pepper (Cables was undoubtedly his favorite pianist). Pepper used to call him “Mr. Beautiful”. Their collaboration is documented by a series of records for Contemporary and Galaxy, including the latest studio session, in duo, of the great alto saxophonist: an artistic will to share with a trusted companion.

George Cables Trio feat. Piero Odorici

SINA Brufani

Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive language The Cookers bring to the bandstand and to their six critically acclaimed recordings, Warriors, Cast the First Stone, Believe, Time and Time Again (which was the iTunes Jazz CD of the year in 2014), The Call of the Wild, Peaceful Heart and Look Out!. This exciting all-star septet summons up an aggressive mid ‘60s spirit with a potent collection of expansive post-bop originals marked by all the requisite killer instincts and pyrotechnic playing expected of some of the heaviest hitters on the scene today.

The Cookers Featuring Billy Harper, Eddie Henderson, David Weiss, Donald Harrison, George Cables, Cecil McBee & Billy Hart

Soka Performing Arts Center

George Cables is one of the true greats of jazz piano. He has the touch and swing of Oscar Peterson, the harmonic inventiveness of Herbie Hancock, the strength of McCoy Tyner, and yet his sound is unmistakably his own. George spent his formative years playing with saxophone giants Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, and Joe Henderson, and his collaborations with alto star Art Pepper, vibes virtuoso Bobby Hutcherson, and trumpet masters Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard yielded recordings that are on every critic’s must-have list. In this exclusive performance, George is joined by an amazing band featuring Caroline Davis, Terell Stafford, Eric Revis, and others

George Cables Trio with Eric Revis, Caroline Davis, and Terell Stafford

Stanford University

James Francies has a talent that comes along only once in a generation. A graduate of the renowned Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and an alumnus of SJW, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, James had joined the Pat Metheny Side-Eye trio, toured with Chris Potter, performed with R&B superstars such as Lauryn Hill and José James, appeared with The Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon alongside his mentor and friend, Questlove — and released his Blue Note debut, Flight.

George Cables one of the true greats of jazz piano. He has the touch and swing of Oscar Peterson, the harmonic inventiveness of Herbie Hancock, the strength of McCoy Tyner, and yet his sound is unmistakably his own. George spent his formative years playing with saxophone giants Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, and Joe Henderson, and his collaborations with alto star Art Pepper, vibes virtuoso Bobby Hutcherson, and trumpet masters Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard yielded recordings that are on every critic’s must-have list. George is going to deliver a performance you won’t want to miss.

James Francies Trio and George Cables Trio with Larry Grenadier, Eric Harland And Guests

Experience counts, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive language The Cookers bring to the bandstand. This exciting all-star septet summons an aggressive mid ‘60s spirit with a potent collection of expansive post-bop originals. They have the requisite killer instincts and pyrotechnic playing expected of some of the heaviest hitters today.

Pianist

George Cables

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 28, 2027

The Cookers: 20th Anniversary Tour · Dakota

Past events

Oct 17, 2025

The Cookers · San Francisco Jazz

Nov 24, 2024

George Cables Trio feat. Piero Odorici · Umbria Jazz

About

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