Leroy Cooper (musician) explained
| Leroy Cooper |
| Birth Date: | 31 August 1928 |
| Origin: | Dallas, Texas, US |
| Instrument: | Baritone saxophone |
| Genre: | Jazz, R&B |
| Occupation: | Musician, bandleader |
| Years Active: | 1950s–2000 |
Leroy "Hog" Cooper (August 31, 1928 – January 15, 2009) was an American jazz and R&B baritone saxophonist, most known for his 20-year association, some of the time as musical director/bandleader, with Ray Charles.
From 1948 to 1951, Cooper toured with Ernie Fields' territory band.[1]
A childhood friend of David "Fathead" Newman, in 1954 the two played together in the sax section backing Lowell Fulson on his first single for Chess Records, "Reconsider Baby".[2]
In 1957, Newman recommended Cooper to Charles, who joined Charles' band the same summer as bassist Edgar Willis, both musicians staying on with Charles for some 20 years.[3]
Cooper also played, recorded or toured with Lightnin' Hopkins,[4] Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown,[5] Lowell Fulson, The Righteous Brothers,[6] Dr. John, Del Shannon,[7] Bobby Short,[8] and Joe Cocker.[9] He performed locally in Orlando until the time of his death, with the Smokin' Torpedoes & Josh Miller Blues Band.
Discography
As sideman
- with Ray Charles
- with Hank Crawford
- With Curtis Amy
- various
Notes and References
- https://books.google.com/books?id=CE8xiT3pV6QC&dq=Leroy+cooper+sax&pg=PT361 Jasinski, Laurie E. (2011) Handbook of Texas Music. Texas A&M University Press
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lowell-fulson-mn0000301955 Fulson biography
- https://books.google.com/books?id=x5gaY5IYhjwC&dq=Leroy+cooper+sax&pg=PA140 Lydon, Michael (2004) Ray Charles: Man and Music, p. 140. Routledge
- http://www.allmusic.com/album/texas-blues-mw0000207979/credits Credits: Texas Blues
- http://www.allmusic.com/album/boogie-uproar-texas-blues-and-r-b-1947-1954-mw0000502295/credits Credits: Boogie Uproar: Texas Blues and R&B 1947–1954
- http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passings24-2009jan24,0,3779394.story “Musician in Charles band”
- http://www.allmusic.com/album/home-and-away-the-complete-recordings-1960-1970-mw0000633862/credits Credits: Home and Away: The Complete Recordings 1960–1970
- http://www.allmusic.com/album/collectables-classics-box-set-mw0000448705/credits Credits: Collectables Classics
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/leroy-cooper-mn0000668320 Biography
