He was orphaned before his fourth birthday, and raised by relatives who introduced him to music, in particular his grandmother who brought him to the church where she played pump organ.
As a result of his prolific output, he also used pseudonyms and some roles were released under names such as Sid Laney, "Pep" Doyle, and Walter Redding.
J. Lawrence Cook's arranging piano is on display at the American Treasure Tour in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
Most of his selections were ragtime and Tin Pan Alley standards (Tiger Rag, Dizzy Fingers, etc.)
In addition to his work as the featured artist, Cook was the pianist for vocalists Jerry Cooper and Dorothy Loudon, who also recorded for Abbey.