This website is dedicated to the contribution and musical persona of Pensacola, Florida-born jazz saxophonist Herman "Junior" Cook, whose tenor saxophone artistry enhanced the music of Horace Silver, Richard "Blue" Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard, Louis Hayes, Bill Hardman, Michael Weiss, and many others in a New York City-based career that spanned decades.

The site is an extension of the research that serves as the foundation for "Have Horn, Will Travel: A Biography of Herman 'Junior' Cook," the first complete biography of Junior Cook's life and music.

Courtney M. Nero, the author of the coming biography and this website, is a saxophonist and researcher based in northern Virginia. "Have Horn, Will Travel," his first book, is under consideration with University of North Texas (UNT) Press and slated for publication in 2025.

Herman “Junior” Cook

The search for the musical voice and persona of Herman “Junior” Cook starts with an acknowledgment that jazz — improvisation, voice, mastery — truly is a life journey. Cook’s journey in the music was ultimately the only path for him — a career as a professional musician was his life’s dream.

Explore the website and dig in to the sound, the approach, and musical persona of one of the quiet legends and mainstays in the jazz idiom. So jump in....Discover this unique jazz voice and hip a friend to Junior Cook.

Junior Cook (tenor sax, left), Andy Farber (tenor sax, right), Joe Farnsworth, drums, John Webber (bass), at Augie’s jazz club, NYC, 1991. Photo credit: Andy Farber.

What’s Available:

Transcriptions

As part of the research for the biography, I transcribed several of Junior Cook’s tenor saxophone solos. I commissioned other musicians to transcribe Cook solos as well. As I complete additional transcriptions, I’ll post here.

Observations on Junior Cook’s Unique Musical Voice

What elements formed the core of Junior Cook’s sound and approach to the music? Periodic blog posts will address some of those facets.

Links

This website, like the biography research effort, seeks to collate available information on Junior Cook’s life, music, and career in one place. Links to other online resources will be provided here.

Courtney M. Nero

[Photo credit: Naomi M. Nero]

Saxophonist, composer, and author Courtney M. Nero was born and raised in Washington, DC and carries on a long family legacy in music. From 1997 to 2007, Courtney was part of the gospel horn section Mo’ Horns. With them, he recorded with Richard Smallwood, James Hall, Donald Lawrence, T.D. Jakes, Natalie Wilson and S.O.P. Chorale, Gideon Band, and Shirley Caesar, among others. He also has collaborated with Marcy Morman and EKKLESIA, Melvin Bryant Jr., and Steve Key and Company. Courtney’s debut solo CD, “Make Me Walk,” was nominated for a Stellar Award in the Instrumental Gospel CD of the Year category in 2009.

Courtney presently leads his own jazz group and is a part of Common Ground Jazz, a smooth jazz - instrumental R&B mainstay in the Washington area led by bassist Tim Jones. Courtney’s original works include “See” and “I Am A Man” (video editing by rustybrownphotography.com), “Alderaan”, and “The Journey” — available online. Courtney’s latest single, an original gospel composition called “FULL,” is available on digital platforms and features his daughter Naomi (vocals) and son Asa (drums). Courtney lives in northern Virginia with his wife of 25+ years and fellow Hoya, Sabrina. For additional information about me, view the website www.courtneyneromusic.com.

Courtney took on the research effort that resulted in the biography of Junior Cook in 2020 after finding few details online of his life and career beyond the association with pianist Horace Silver. Courtney looks forward to the publication of “Have Horn, Will Travel: A Biography of Herman “Junior” Cook.” He recently has directed his pen toward jazz fiction.