Star Pro Audio - Chris Franz
Pictured above at FOH for Jesse Cook's performance at the Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA
Clients
Jesse Cook - Tour Manager / FOH / Merch
The Cactus Brothers - monitors
Steve Earle - monitors
The Little River Band - monitors
The Crusaders - monitors
Black Widow - monitors
The Blues Other Brothers - FOH
Precious Metal - FOH
Super Gold - FOH
The Mix Factory - FOH / monitor engineer / stage production
manager
The Boiler Room, Cannery Row, Monterey, CA / production manager
Mere Bulles - House sound engineer - FOH / monitors / Lights
MTV Comic Tour - FOH live shows Boiler Room, Monterey, CA
MTV Comic Tour - Featuring Carrot Top / Rob Schneider / Bruce Baum
Mid Coast LLC.
Hugh Bennet Productions
Audis Productions
The Mitchell Group
Progressive Productions
Allied Sound
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C.P. Rigging
PSAV
Scene Three
High Five
Community Sound
Freeman A/V
FOH
Monitor engineer
Audio A1-A2
Stage Hand
Drum Tech
Guitar and Bass Tech
Keyboard Tech
Backline Tech
Tour Manager
Production Manager
Stage Manager
Truck loading and packing
Merch Settlement
System Tech
CONCERT REVIEW
The Piney Woods Fine Arts Association presented Nuevo Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook in concert at the Crockett Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. In this concert Cook was accompanied by Chendy Leon on percussion, Chris Church on violin and Nicolas Hernandez on guitar. They opened with a very flavorful and upbeat selection that engaged the audience immediately. Hands clapping, toes tapping, heads nodding and bodies were swaying to the beat. This was followed by a slower selection titled "Rain", then another upbeat selection titled "Cafe Mocha" followed by "Falling from Grace". "Rain" and "Falling from Grace" were both very soulful and bittersweet. "Rain" exuded an essence of sadness, pulling at your heartstrings. "Falling from Grace" gave the listener a shattered feeling. The kind of feeling you get when you have disappointed someone you truly care about, and the longing to undo what you've done. The audience was then treated to an awesome display of Leon's percussion talents as well as a duet of Leon on a percussion box against Cook using the percussion techniques of the flamenco guitar. Another upbeat selection was followed by an intermission.
After the intermission Cook returned to the stage solo to perform "Alone". This piece was mournful and at times heated. It might remind one of the frustrations of heartache, the reflection one takes when a relationship is over or the remorse of a relationship that is gone and the anguish of being alone.
Cook was then joined by Hernandez. The duo played a very lively and upbeat piece called "Dance of Spring" that showcased the skills of Hernandez. The sound of this selection was vivid and bright. You could liken it to the onset of spring colors. The grass becomes greener, the leaves appear on the trees, flowers begin to blossom and then you see it everywhere, this fabulous explosion of color.
Leon and Church then joined the duo to play "Closer to Madness". This piece featured the artistic talents of Church on the violin. Beginning with a dark and ominous sound, this selection evolves into the sounds of an Arabian night. It was feverish and delightful. Several flamenco rumbas followed, each invigorating, with Cook inviting everyone to get up and dance, with hints of conga lines and people dancing on the stage. One audience member journeyed to the stage to dance. She was followed by two more young ladies, who also displayed their talent. A short lived conga line ensued.
Throughout his performance at the Crockett Civic Center, Cook received many standing ovations from the crowd, and it was a standing ovation which brought Cook and his fellow musicians back to the stage for an encore performance. After playing another upbeat flamenco selection the group came to the edge of the stage, where no microphones were located. With Cook on guitar; Church, Hernandez and Leon provided percussion with their hands and feet, like the street performers of France who have been a flowering inspiration to the music of Cook. Then out of nowhere Church began to sing, accompanied by Leon. It was magical. Powerful and gripping, the music seemed to pour out of the depths of these men's souls into the hearts and minds of the audience. It was one of those rare and beautiful moments that take your breath away. The audience was astounded.
Many may remember the Nuevo Flamenco guitarist Ottmar Liebert's concert hosted by PWFAA in 2007. With a smaller venue and rich tones of red and orange for lighting, Liebert had a much more intimate setting, yet his music seemed distant. Cook's music was much more personable and passionate. His compositions are flawless, his execution is genius and the depths of his talents are immeasurable. From the moment these men entered the stage until the last note of this concert was played, the audience was captivated. If you missed this concert, you missed a rare musical moment in Houston County. These modern day troubadours are truly masters of their craft. Any music lover would have a deep appreciation for their skills. This was one of the best presentations, if not the best presentation, hosted by the PWFAA this year.