Drummer Cory Cox is a native of Houston, TX. Inspired by his family’s passion for music, he studied privately and worked with the youth choir at his church at age eight. Developing an interest in music, he enrolled into the arts program at Johnston Middle School and The High School for The Performing and Visual Arts. Working with various ensembles and mentors that introduced him to jazz and world music, he was inspired to pursue a music career that would take him around the world. While Cory was in high school, he was selected to become a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Gibson Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble where he performed with the High School Grammy Jazz Choir. Gaining exposure to various music programs around the country lead to Cory receiving a scholarship from Blue Note recording artist Jason Moran to attend college and he was selected as a 2006-08 Brubeck Institute Fellow at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. As a Brubeck Fellow, he received ensemble coaching from mentors Dave Brubeck, Joe Gilman, Fred Hersch, Robert Glasper, Bob Hurst, Christian McBride, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Eric Harland, Freddie Hubbard, Nicholas Payton, Miguel Zenon and Joshua Redman. The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet was selected as the 2007 Down Beat Magazine best college ensemble. Cory credits the Brubeck institute as one the most insightful musical experiences. After completing the two-year fellowship program, Cory moved to NYC to finish his undergrad studies at the New School University. Since moving to NY, Cory has performed and toured with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, Reggie Workman, the Ben Flocks Quartet, John Ellis, Joel Frahm, Javier Vercher, Marcus Strickland, Jimmy Owens, John Raymond, the Hironobu Saito Group, Thana Pavelic, Lorenzo Conte and many others throughout the U.S, Europe, Switzerland, Croatia and Japan. Cory currently teaches privately and lead ensemble workshops at Stanford Jazz in California and Litchfield Jazz in Connecticut. He credits Jesus, his family, Keith Sanders, Sebastian Whittaker, Craig Green, Conrad Johnson, Warren Sneed and his peers as his greatest inspiration.