The album features a quintet consisting of Lee Morgan on trumpet, Pepper Adams on baritone saxophone, Bobby Timmons on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. The music on the album is a mix of hard bop and blues, with Morgan's trumpet playing leading the way.

Lee Morgan went on to have a successful career in jazz, recording many albums as a leader and as a sideman with other notable jazz musicians. However, "The Cooker" remains one of his most celebrated albums and a testament to his talent as a trumpeter and composer.