Mike Cook began classical piano lessons at age 5 with Lois Reid, an alumnus of the Eastman School of Music. Mike's mother, Gene, was a fine vocalist who had performed with several big bands in Indianapolis and Chicago before her marriage to Mike's dad. Thanks to his mother's influence in exposing him to the great jazz performers, he became more and more interested in jazz piano. He put together his first group, a jazz quartet at 14 and began playing for parties, high school and college functions.
In his early days, he played piano with many groups around Indiana including the John Von Ohlen band as well as performing solo gigs on piano and vocal in clubs and restaurants around Indianapolis. He also sat in, singing on numerous occasions with Michael Allan Slaughter, a pianist, and others.
His last gig was on vocals and vibes with Michael Slaughter on piano at Bear Valley Ski Lodge in Bear Valley, California.
After several years in the business world, during which he was not actively performing, he and Slaughter reconnected musically in November, 2010, which led to the recording of "Leftover Dreams," the CD just released with Cook as vocalist and Slaughter on piano.