Bob Cooper: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Lee Konitz
• Zoot Sims
• Bud Shank
• Pete Christlieb
• Warne Marsh
• Al Cohn
• Jimmy McGary

• Stan Getz
• Sonny Stitt
• Don Byas
• Lucky Thompson

• James Van Heusen

• Buddy Childers
• Shelly Manne
• Shorty Rogers
• Conte Candoli
• Frank Rosolino
• Pete Candoli
• Milt Bernhart

Born:

Dec 6, 1925 in Pittsburgh, PA

Died:

Aug 5, 1993 in Hollywood, CA

Genres:

Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music, Cool Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1940's|1950's|1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

One of the great West Coast tenors, Bob Cooper made even the most complex solos sound swinging and accessible. "Coop" joined Stan Kenton's big band in 1945, and he was a fixture with several of the editions (including the Innovations Orchestra) through 1951; in 1947, he married Kenton's singer, June Christy. After leaving Kenton, Cooper settled in Los Angeles, where he was a busy studio musician for the next four decades. He was a regular member of the Lighthouse AllStars from 19521962, sometimes playing oboe and English horn (being the first strong jazz soloist on both of those instruments). The cooltoned tenor (whose sound fit into the "Four Brothers" style) was on many records in the 1950s (including those of Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, and June Christy), and continued working steadily in Los Angelesarea clubs up until his death. He appears on records with the big bands of Frank Capp/Nat Pierce, Bob Florence, and the '80s version of the Lighthouse AllStars; and participated in the 1991 Stan Kenton 50thanniversary celebration. As a leader, Coop recorded for Capitol in the 1950s, Contemporary, Trend, Discovery, and Fresh Sound.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide