Harry L. Cook

Harry Levi Cook (b. Marion, May 15, 1878 - d. Louisville, December 3, 1953) -- Pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor. At about age ten, Harry moved with his family from Marion to New Albany, where he learned to play the piano and the violin. Although he moved across the river to Louisville after getting married in 1903, his name still shows up in some New Albany annual registries thereafter. According to census reports, he worked in Louisville as a theater musician, arranger, band leader, and later in life as a police officer. In 1907, Cook wrote the Shovel Fish Rag and Fluffy Ruffles Rag, both of which were picked up by New York publisher Jerome H. Remick. Two years later, he composed Slivers: Rag Eccentric, which was inspired by a circus clown and was published by Central Music Company in St. Louis.