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 re ...

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 ...

, 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 June Christy (born Shirley Luster; November 20, 1925June 21, 1990) was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a so ...

, 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'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 state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

, 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, 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'' (

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'' ( World Pacific, 1958) with Bud Shank * '' Blowin' Country'' (World Pacific, 1959) with Bud Shank * ''Tenor Sax Jazz Impressions'' ( Trend, 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 Discove ...

, 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 Fon ...

As sideman With

Chet Baker Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool". Baker earned much attention and ...

* ''

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 With

Elmer Bernstein Elmer Bernstein ( '; April 4, 1922August 18, 2004) was an American composer and conductor. In a career that spanned over five decades, he composed "some of the most recognizable and memorable themes in Hollywood history", including over 150 origi ...

* ''

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 * '' Swinging Kicks'' (Verve, 1957) With

* ''

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 Walter Maynard Ferguson CM (May 4, 1928 – August 23, 2006) was a Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader. He came to prominence in Stan Kenton's orchestra before forming his own big band in 1957. He was noted for his bands, which often serv ...

* ''

Maynard Ferguson's Hollywood Party ''Maynard Ferguson's Hollywood Party'' is an album released by Canadian jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson featuring tracks recorded in early 1954 and originally released on the EmArcy label as a 10-inch LP but reissued as a 12-inch album.

'' (EmArcy, 1954) * '' Jam Session featuring Maynard Ferguson'' (EmArcy, 1954) * '' Dimensions'' (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'' (Capitol, 1943-47 950 * '' Stan Kenton Classics'' (Capitol, 1944-47 952 * '' Artistry in Rhythm'' (Capitol, 1946) * '' Encores'' (Capitol, 1947) * '' A Presentation of Progressive Jazz'' (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 Apr ...

'' (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, ''This ...

'' (Capitol, 1953) * '' The Kenton Era'' (Capitol, 1940–54, 955 * '' The Innovations Orchestra'' (Capitol, 1950-51

997 Year 997 ( 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 child of the ...

* ''

Stan Kenton Conducts the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra ''Stan Kenton Conducts the Los Angeles Neophonic Orchestra'' is an album by bandleader Stan Kenton recorded in 1965 by Capitol Records.Vosbein, PStan Kenton Discographyaccessed July 4, 2016 Reception Critical opinion remains divided. The Allmus ...

'' (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 fi ...

'' (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 label and featuring eight tracks originally released on the ''Barney Kessel Volume 2'' 10-inch album which were r ...

'' (Contemporary, 1954–55) With Shelly Manne * '' The West Coast Sound'' (Contemporary, 1955) With

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 Spe ...

* ''Heart Beat'' (Soundtrack) (Capitol, 1980) With

Art Pepper Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was know ...

* ''Showcase for Modern Jazz'' (Brunswick, 1958) With Shorty Rogers * '' Cool and Crazy'' (RCA Victor, 1953) * ''

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 Collaboration (from Latin ''com-'' "with" + ''laborare'' "to labor", "to work") is the process of two or more people, entities or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal. Collaboration is similar to cooperation. Most ...

'' (RCA Victor, 1954) with

André Previn André George Previn (; born Andreas Ludwig Priwin; April 6, 1929 – February 28, 2019) was a German-American pianist, composer, and conductor. His career had three major genres: Hollywood films, jazz, and classical music. In each he achieved ...

* '' Afro-Cuban Influence'' (RCA Victor, 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'' (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 label as a 12-inch LP.Minn, MMaynard Ferguson Discographyaccessed Oct ...

'' (Columbia, 1954) * '' Rugolomania'' (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 Disco ...

'' (Harmony, 1954–55,

957 Year 957 ( CMLVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * September 6 – Liudolf, the eldest son of King Otto I, dies of a violent fever ne ...

* '' Out on a Limb'' (EmArcy, 1956) * '' An Adventure in Sound: Reeds in Hi-Fi'' (Mercury, 1956 958 * '' Rugolo Plays Kenton'' (EmArcy, 1958) * ''

The Music from Richard Diamond ''The Music from Richard Diamond'' is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo featuring compositions written for ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective'' recorded in 1959 and first released on the EmArcy label.The Original Music of Thriller'' (Time, 1961) * ''

10 Saxophones and 2 Basses ''10 Saxophones and 2 Basses'' is an album by composer, arranger and conductor Pete Rugolo featuring performances recorded in 1961 and first released on the Mercury label as part of its audiophile Perfect Presence Sound Series.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 ...

* ''

Jazz at Cal-Tech ''Jazz at Cal-Tech'' is an album by saxophonist Bud Shank recorded in January 1956 for the Pacific Jazz Records, Pacific Jazz label.

'' (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