Charles L. Cooke, known professionally as Doc Cook, was an influential American jazz bandleader and arranger born on September 3, 1891, in Louisville, Kentucky. He began composing music at the young age of eight and formed his first band by the age of 15. Cook moved to Detroit at 18, where he worked with prominent African-American dance ensembles, including Fred Stone's Orchestra and the Ben Shook band. His talents as a pianist and arranger were evident early on, suggesting some classical training.

In the early 1920s, Cook relocated to Chicago, where he became a key figure in the city's jazz scene. He served as the resident leader of the orchestra at Paddy Harmon's Dreamland Ballroom from 1922 to 1927. His ensemble, known under various names such as Doc Cook and his 14 Doctors of Syncopation and Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra, featured notable musicians like Freddie Keppard and Jimmie Noone. Cook's band was versatile, capable of playing various musical styles, including jazz.

Cook furthered his education at the Chicago College of Music, earning a Doctor of Music degree in 1926. He composed a classical work titled "Pro Arte" as part of his doctoral studies. After his tenure at the Dreamland Ballroom, Cook's orchestra performed at other Chicago venues, including the Municipal Pier and the White City Ballroom.

In 1930, Cook moved to New York City, where he worked as an arranger for Radio City Music Hall and RKO into the 1940s. His Broadway orchestration credits include "The Hot Mikado" (1939) and "The Boy Friend" (1954). A proponent of ragtime, he collaborated with Eubie Blake on the 1952 revival of "Shuffle Along."

Doc Cook passed away on December 25, 1958, in Wurtsboro, New York, leaving behind a legacy as a significant figure in the development of early jazz and dance orchestras.