Laurence J. Cook

Laurence J. Cook passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on September 1, 2026. He was the beloved son of Ida T. Cook Strachan and George W. Cook.

Laurence spent much of his life in Westwood, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Westwood High School. A lifelong artist and musician, he studied painting at the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston before pursuing his deep passion for music. He went on to master the piano, vibraphone, and drums, becoming an important and distinctive voice in the jazz avant-garde beginning in the 1960s.

Over the course of his remarkable career, Laurence appeared on more than twenty recordings, including Revenge and Dual Unity with Paul Bley; Skillfulness with Alan Silva; Wraparound with Joe Morris; Fuzz Against Junk, recorded at the Vision Festival in 1997 with Thurston Moore; Triplet and Fire in the Valley with Jemeel Moondoc; Divine Mad Love with Sabir Mateen; and November 1981, Thoughts, and Son of Sisyphus with Bill Dixon.

Throughout his career, he collaborated with many influential musicians, including Sam Rivers, Lowell Davidson, Rahn Burton, Alan Silva, the Brecker Brothers, Robin Kenyatta, Mark Whitecage, and Barre Phillips, among many others. From the 1980s onward, Laurence continued to perform, record, and contribute to the world of creative and avant-garde jazz.

Laurence is survived by his sons, Alexander Cook and Matthew Cook; his granddaughter, Alexis Cook; his stepdaughter, Nina Symmes; and Ramona Cook.

He will be remembered for his extraordinary artistic spirit, his lifelong devotion to music, and the distinctive creative voice he brought to every stage and recording. Laurence's legacy will live on through his music, his art, and the many people whose lives he touched.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours at the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home, 55 High Rock St., Westwood on Wednesday Sept. 9th from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Thursday morning Sept. 10th at St. Margaret Mary Church, 845 High St., Westwood. Interment, following the Mass, at New Westwood Cemetery.