Slideshow: Hal Crook Celebrates 30 Years of Teaching with Alumni Concert

World-renowned trombonist and Berklee professor Hal Crook ‘71 retires, celebrating 30 years of teaching with a concert, titled “Set Me Free,” featuring some of his most outstanding former students, including Esperanza Spalding ‘05, Antonio Sanchez ‘97, Leo Genovese ‘01, Lionel Loueke ‘04, Chris Cheek ‘91, and Deborah Pierre ‘13.

June 1, 2016

On February 18, 2016, world-renowned trombonist and Berklee Ensemble Department professor Hal Crook ‘71 celebrated 30 years of teaching with a retirement concert, titled "Set Me Free," featuring some of his most outstanding former students.

In the first half of the concert, Crook welcomed past students back to the Berklee Performance Center stage, including Grammy Award-winners Esperanza Spalding ‘05 on bass and vocals and Antonio Sanchez ‘97 on drums, pianist Leo Genovese ‘01, guitarist Lionel Loueke ‘04, saxophonist Chris Cheek ‘91, and vocalist Deborah Pierre ‘13. The alumni performed five of Crook’s contemporary jazz compositions, each having generous solo time on each piece. The second half of the show featured Crook’s current R&B ensemble, Behind These Eyes, which performed nine original songs.

The juxtaposition of former and current students taking the same stage alongside Crook offered a remarkable look into the influence he has had on his students throughout the past three decades. “Set Me Free” proved to be much more than just a showcase of Crook’s phenomenal abilities to play and compose, but a tribute to Crook’s legacy and impact throughout his time at the college.

Watch selected performances from Hal Crook's "Set Me Free" concert: