Willie Cook; Trumpeter Performed With Ellington and Basie

Willie Cook, 76, a lead trumpeter known for his beautifully clean and precise articulation who played with Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Born in Tangipahoa, La., north of New Orleans, Cook moved to East Chicago, Ind., with his family when he was 6. His first love was the violin, but he soon switched to the trumpet. At 18, Cook became a member of King Perry’s band, and in 1943, Cook joined Jay McShann’s orchestra, where he made his first recording, “Say Forward, I’ll March.” Cook also had stints with bands led by Earl “Fatha” Hines, Jimmy Lunceford, Dizzy Gillespie and B.B. King. He joined Ellington in 1951 and started playing with Basie in 1979. He was on a tour with Basie in Sweden in 1982 when he decided to leave the band and settle in Stockholm. He continued to play over the years with several European bands. On Sept. 22 in Stockholm of heart failure.