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Al Cook is the undisputed pioneer of the local blues scene. It was he who, back in the mid-60s, made the African-American southern blues, which had previously been regarded as fringe music, acceptable in our part of the world. As chance would have it, the folk music boom of the late sixties made a decisive contribution as a midwife. The former rock and roll fan came across historical recordings of classic blues artists by chance and adopted their personal style as an integral part of his musical career. While subsequent musicians often limited themselves to copying tried and tested pieces of music, Al Cook composed contemporary music in the style of the interwar period. The blues must live and must not be allowed to become a museum cultural asset. With this attitude, the Austrian blues pioneer has been working on his musical career for almost 60 years now.

After a long period of solo concerts, he also showed how he began, and paid his respects in the old SUN Records style during the rock and roll renaissance of the 80s. In 1988, Al Cook returned to the blues and that's where he still performs today.

Al Cook has always appreciated the international flair of the Porgy and Bess jazz club and is looking forward to performing his annual festival concert with his Original Al Cook Band. For fans of authentic blues, it is almost a "must" to experience the longest-serving local blues pioneer live. Al Cook takes the audience back to the days of archaic blues and always remains true to his well-known style. Charlie Lloyd, piano. Harry Hudson, drums and Mike Jerry, bass. (press release)