Bob Cooper (December 6, 1925 – August 5, 1993) was a

West Coast jazz West Coast jazz refers to styles of jazz that developed in Los Angeles and San Francisco during the 1950s. West Coast jazz is often seen as a subgenre of cool jazz, which consisted of a calmer style than bebop or hard bop. The music relied rela ...

musician known primarily for playing

tenor saxophone The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B (while th ...

, but also for being one of the first to play jazz solos on

oboe The oboe ( ) is a type of double reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common oboe plays in the treble or soprano range. ...

Career

Cooper worked in

Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though K ...

's band starting in 1945 and married the band's singer June Christy, two years later. The union producing a daughter Shay Christy Cooper (September 1, 1954 – February 21, 2014), with the marriage lasting 44 years, until Christy's death in 1990. His last studio recording was on

Karrin Allyson Karrin Allyson (pronounced ''KAR-in''; born Karrin Allyson Schoonover on July 27, 1963) is an American jazz vocalist. She has been nominated for five Grammy Awards and has received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including the ...

's album '' Sweet Home Cookin''' (1994) on which he played tenor saxophone. Cooper died of a heart attack in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

, at the age of 67. He was found in his car, which had pulled over to side of road. (Portrait of June Christy and Bob Cooper, 1947 or 1948) (LOC) (4888076197)

Selected discography

As leader * ''The Bob Cooper Sextet'' (

Capitol A capitol, named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome, is usually a legislative building where a legislature meets and makes laws for its respective political entity. Specific capitols include: * United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. * Numerous ...

, 1954) * ''Shifting Winds'' (Capitol, 1955) * '' Flute 'n Oboe'' (

Pacific Jazz Pacific Jazz Records was a Los Angeles-based record company and label best known for cool jazz or West coast jazz. It was founded in 1952 by producer Richard Bock (1927–1988) and drummer Roy Harte (1924–2003). Harte, in 1954, also co-founded ...

, 1957) with

Bud Shank Clifford Everett "Bud" Shank Jr. (May 27, 1926 – April 2, 2009) was an American alto saxophonist and flautist. He rose to prominence in the early 1950s playing lead alto and flute in Stan Kenton's Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra and thro ...

* ''Milano Blues'' (Music, 1957) * ''

Coop! The Music of Bob Cooper ''Coop! The Music of Bob Cooper'' is an album by saxophonist Bob Cooper recorded in 1957 and released on the Contemporary label.

'' (

Contemporary Contemporary history, in English-language historiography, is a subset of modern history that describes the historical period from approximately 1945 to the present. Contemporary history is either a subset of the late modern period, or it is o ...

, 1958) * ''

The Swing's to TV ''The Swing's to TV'' (subtitled ''Bud Shank and Bob Cooper Play Theme Songs from Television Shows'') is an album by saxophonists Bud Shank and Bob Cooper released on the World Pacific label.World Pacific Pacific Jazz Records was a Los Angeles-based record company and label best known for cool jazz or West coast jazz. It was founded in 1952 by producer Richard Bock (1927–1988) and drummer Roy Harte (1924–2003). Harte, in 1954, also co-founded ...

, 1958) with Bud Shank * ''

Blowin' Country ''Blowin' Country'' is an album by saxophonists Bud Shank and Bob Cooper released on the World Pacific label.

'' (World Pacific, 1959) with Bud Shank * ''Tenor Sax Jazz Impressions'' (

Trend A fad or trend is any form of collective behavior that develops within a culture, a generation or social group in which a group of people enthusiastically follow an impulse for a short period. Fads are objects or behaviors that achieve shor ...

, 1979) * ''The Music of Michel Legrand'' (

Discovery Discovery may refer to: * Discovery (observation), observing or finding something unknown * Discovery (fiction), a character's learning something unknown * Discovery (law), a process in courts of law relating to evidence Discovery, The Discover ...

, 1980) * ''In a Mellotone'' (Contemporary, 1985) with the

Snooky Young Eugene Edward "Snooky" Young (February 3, 1919 – May 11, 2011) was an American jazz trumpeter. He was known for his mastery of the plunger mute, with which he was able to create a wide range of sounds. Biography Young was lead trumpeter of t ...

Sextet featuring

Ernie Andrews Ernest Mitchell Andrews Jr. (December 25, 1927 – February 21, 2022) was an American jazz, blues, and pop singer. Life and career Andrews was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Los Angeles, and is said to have been discovered by ...

* ''At The Royal Palms Inn'' (Woofy Productions, 1993) with

Carl Fontana Carl Charles Fontana (July 18, 1928 – October 9, 2003) was an American jazz trombonist. After working in the big bands of Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, and Stan Kenton, he devoted most of his career to playing music in Las Vegas. Career Font ...

As sideman With Chet Baker * ''

Witch Doctor A witch doctor (also spelled witch-doctor) was originally a type of healer who treated ailments believed to be caused by witchcraft. The term is now more commonly used to refer to healers, particularly in regions which use traditional healing ...

'' (Contemporary, 1953

985 Year 985 ( CMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – Henry II (the Wrangler) is restored as duke of Bavaria by Empress Theoph ...

With Elmer Bernstein * ''

The Man with the Golden Arm ''The Man with the Golden Arm'' is a 1955 American drama film with elements of film noir directed by Otto Preminger, based on the novel of the same name by Nelson Algren. Starring Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak, Arnold Stang and ...

'' (Decca, 1956) With

Buddy Bregman Louis Isidore "Buddy" Bregman (July 9, 1930 – January 8, 2017) was an American arranger and conductor. Biography Bregman was born in Chicago. His father was an executive in the steel industry. His uncle was songwriter Jule Styne. He spen ...

* ''

Swinging Kicks ''Swinging Kicks'' is a 1957 album by the jazz arranger Buddy Bregman. The album was released as ''I Love Listening to Buddy Bregman'' by HMV in the United Kingdom. Reception Scott Yanow reviewed the album for AllMusic and wrote that it was "B ...

'' (Verve, 1957) With June Christy * ''

Do-Re-Mi "Do-Re-Mi" is a show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ''The Sound of Music''. Each syllable of the musical solfège system appears in the song's lyrics, sung on the pitch it names. Rodgers was helped in its creation by long-time ...

'' (Capitol, 1961) With Maynard Ferguson * '' Maynard Ferguson's Hollywood Party'' (EmArcy, 1954) * ''

Jam Session featuring Maynard Ferguson ''Jam Session featuring Maynard Ferguson'' is an album by Canadian jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson featuring tracks recorded in early 1954 and released on the EmArcy label.Dimensions In physics and mathematics, the dimension of a mathematical space (or object) is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. Thus, a line has a dimension of one (1D) because only one coordin ...

'' (EmArcy, 1955) With

Jimmy Giuffre James Peter Giuffre (, ; April 26, 1921 – April 24, 2008) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He is known for developing forms of jazz which allowed for free interplay between the musicians, anticipating f ...

* '' The Jimmy Giuffre Clarinet'' (Atlantic, 1956) With

* ''

Stan Kenton's Milestones ''Stan Kenton's Milestones'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton compiling performances recorded between 1943 and 1947 and originally collected on the Capitol label as a 10-inch LP in 1950 then reissued as a 12-inch LP with additiona ...

'' (Capitol, 1943-47

950 Year 950 ( CML) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Arab–Byzantine War: A Hamdanid army (30,000 men) led by Sayf al-Dawla raids int ...

* ''

Stan Kenton Classics ''Stan Kenton Classics'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton compiling performances recorded between 1945 and 1947 and originally collected on the Capitol label as a 10-inch LP in 1950 then reissued as a 12-inch LP with additional t ...

'' (Capitol, 1944-47

952 Year 952 ( CMLII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – At the Reichstag in Augsburg (assembled by King Otto I), joined by German nob ...

* ''

Artistry in Rhythm ''Artistry in Rhythm'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring performances recorded in 1946 and originally released on the Capitol label as four 78rpm discs, reissued as a LP in 1953, and then as a LP in 1955 with additional ...

'' (Capitol, 1946) * '' Encores'' (Capitol, 1947) * ''

A Presentation of Progressive Jazz ''A Presentation of Progressive Jazz'' is a 1948 jazz album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton. Background The album features performances recorded in 1947 and originally released on the Capitol label as four 78rpm discs, reissued as a 10-inc ...

'' (Capitol, 1947) * ''

Innovations in Modern Music ''Innovations in Modern Music'' is an album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton with his "Innovations" Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1950 and originally released on the Capitol label.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed Apri ...

'' (Capitol, 1950) * '' Stan Kenton Presents'' (Capitol, 1950) * '' City of Glass'' (Capitol, 1951) * ''

Popular Favorites by Stan Kenton ''Popular Favorites by Stan Kenton'' is a compilation album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring performances recorded between 1951 and 1953 and originally released as a 10-inch LP and 45 rpm EP on Capitol before being reissued as a 12 ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) * ''

This Modern World ''This Modern World'' is a weekly satirical comic strip by cartoonist and political commentator Tom Tomorrow (real name Dan Perkins) that covers current events from a left-wing point of view. Published continuously for more than 30 years, ''Th ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) * ''

The Kenton Era ''The Kenton Era'' is a compilation album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton featuring recordings from 1940 to 1954 which was originally released in two limited edition box sets, as fifteen 7 inch 45 rpm discs and four 12 inch LPs, on Capitol i ...

'' (Capitol, 1940–54,

955 Year 955 ( CMLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * August 10 – Battle of Lechfeld: King Otto I ("the Great") defeats the Hungarians (also ...

* ''

The Innovations Orchestra ''The Innovations Orchestra'' is a compilation album by pianist and bandleader Stan Kenton's "Innovations" Orchestra featuring performances recorded in 1950 and 1951. The CD includes the albums '' Innovations in Modern Music'' and '' Stan Kenton ...

'' (Capitol, 1950-51

997 Year 997 (Roman numerals, CMXCVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Japan * 1 February: Empress Teishi gives birth to Princess Shushi - she is the first ...

* '' Stan Kenton Conducts the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra'' (Capitol, 1965) * ''

Hair Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and f ...

'' (Capitol, 1969) With

Barney Kessel Barney Kessel (October 17, 1923 – May 6, 2004) was an American jazz guitarist born in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Known in particular for his knowledge of chords and inversions and chord-based melodies, he was a member of many prominent jazz groups a ...

* ''

Kessel Plays Standards ''Kessel Plays Standards'' (subtitled ''Barney Kessel Volume 2'') is an album by guitarist Barney Kessel released on the Contemporary Records, Contemporary label and featuring eight tracks originally released on the ''Barney Kessel Volume 2'' 10-i ...

'' (Contemporary, 1954–55) With

Shelly Manne Sheldon "Shelly" Manne (June 11, 1920 – September 26, 1984) was an American jazz drummer. Most frequently associated with West Coast jazz, he was known for his versatility and also played in a number of other styles, including Dixieland, sw ...

* ''

The West Coast Sound ''The West Coast Sound'' (subtitled ''Volume 1'') is an album by drummer Shelly Manne's group Shelly Manne & His Men, recorded at sessions in 1953 and 1955 and released on the Contemporary Records, Contemporary label.Jack Nitzsche Bernard Alfred "Jack" Nitzsche ( '; April 22, 1937 – August 25, 2000) was an American musician, arranger, songwriter, composer, and record producer. He first came to prominence in the early 1960s as the right-hand-man of producer Phil Spec ...

* ''Heart Beat'' (Soundtrack) (Capitol, 1980) With Art Pepper * ''Showcase for Modern Jazz'' (Brunswick, 1958) With

Shorty Rogers Milton "Shorty" Rogers (born Milton Rajonsky; April 14, 1924 – November 7, 1994) was an American jazz musician, one of the principal creators of West Coast jazz. He played trumpet and flugelhorn and was in demand for his skills as an arrang ...

* ''

Cool and Crazy ''Cool and Crazy'' is an album by American jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger Shorty Rogers originally released by RCA Victor in 1953 as a 10-inch LP.Shorty Rogers Courts the Count ''Shorty Rogers Courts the Count'' is an album by American jazz trumpeter, composer and arranger Shorty Rogers, released on the RCA Victor label in 1954.Collaboration'' (RCA Victor, 1954) with André Previn * ''

Afro-Cuban Influence ''Afro-Cuban Influence'' is an album by American jazz trumpeter and arranger Shorty Rogers which was released by RCA Victor in 1958.Shorty Rogers Meets Tarzan'' (MGM, 1960) With

Pete Rugolo Pietro "Pete" Rugolo (December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011) was an American jazz composer, arranger and record producer. Life and career Rugolo was born in San Piero Patti, Sicily. His family emigrated to the United States in 1920 and settle ...

* ''

Introducing Pete Rugolo ''Introducing Pete Rugolo'' is an album by bandleader, composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo featuring performances recorded in 1954 and released on the Columbia label, initially as a 10-inch LP, then with an additional four tracks as a 12- ...

'' (Columbia, 1954) * ''

Adventures in Rhythm ''Adventures in Rhythm'' is an album by bandleader, composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo featuring performances recorded in 1954 and originally released on the Columbia Records, Columbia label as a 12-inch LP.Minn, MMaynard Ferguson Discog ...

'' (Columbia, 1954) * ''

Rugolomania ''Rugolomania'' is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo, featuring performances recorded in 1954 and 1955 and released on the Columbia label.Minn, MMaynard Ferguson Discographyaccessed October 6, 2016Smith, P. GJulius Watkins ...

'' (Columbia, 1955) * ''

New Sounds by Pete Rugolo ''New Sounds by Pete Rugolo'' is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo, featuring performances recorded in 1954 and 1955 for Columbia Records and first released on the budget Harmony label in 1957.Minn, MMaynard Ferguson Disc ...

'' (Harmony, 1954–55, 957 * '' Out on a Limb'' (EmArcy, 1956) * '' An Adventure in Sound: Reeds in Hi-Fi'' (Mercury, 1956

958 Year 958 ( CMLVIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * October / November – Battle of Raban: The Byzantines under John Tzimiskes ...

* ''

Rugolo Plays Kenton ''Rugolo Plays Kenton'' (subtitled ''The Pete Rugolo Orchestra Plays Compositions Introduced by Stan Kenton'') is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo featuring performances of tunes associated with Stan Kenton recorded in 1958 ...

'' (EmArcy, 1958) * '' The Music from Richard Diamond'' (EmArcy, 1959) * '' The Original Music of Thriller'' (Time, 1961) * '' 10 Saxophones and 2 Basses'' (Mercury, 1961) With

* '' Jazz at Cal-Tech'' (Pacific Jazz, 1956) * '' Barefoot Adventure'' (Pacific Jazz, 1961) * '' Bud Shank & the Sax Section'' (Pacific Jazz, 1966)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Bob American jazz oboists American male jazz musicians Male oboists American jazz tenor saxophonists American male saxophonists Cool jazz oboists Cool jazz saxophonists Hard bop oboists Hard bop saxophonists West Coast jazz oboists West Coast jazz saxophonists Jazz musicians from California Musicians from Pittsburgh 1925 births 1993 deaths 20th-century American saxophonists American music arrangers Jazz musicians from Pennsylvania 20th-century American male musicians The Capp-Pierce Juggernaut members