Leroy Cooper (musician)

Leroy Cooper
Born	(1928-08-31)August 31, 1928
Origin	Dallas, Texas, US
Died	January 15, 2009(2009-01-15) (aged 80)
Genres	Jazz, R&B
Occupation(s)	Musician, bandleader
Instrument	Baritone saxophone
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,[3] who joined Charles' band the same summer as bassist Edgar Willis, both musicians staying on with Charles for some 20 years.[4]

Cooper also played, recorded or toured with Lightnin' Hopkins,[5] Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown,[6] Lowell Fulson, The Righteous Brothers,[7] Dr. John, Del Shannon,[8] Bobby Short,[9] and Joe Cocker.[3] 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

• 1960: More Soul (Atlantic)
• 1961: The Soul Clinic (Atlantic)
• 1962: From the Heart (Atlantic)
• 1964: True Blue (Atlantic)
• 1965: Dig These Blues (Atlantic)

With Curtis Amy

• Mustang (Verve, 1967)

various

• 1954: "Reconsider Baby" – Lowell Fulson (Chess)
• 1975: Hollywood Be Thy Name – Dr. John
• 1978: Luxury You Can Afford – Joe Cocker
• 1988: Big News from Baton Rouge!! – Kenny Neal
• 1990: Return to the Wide Open Spaces – David Newman
• 1990: Noble & Nat – Noble "Thin Man" Watts and Nat Adderley
• 1991: Walking on Fire – Kenny Neal

References

1. Jasinski, Laurie E. (2011) Handbook of Texas Music. Texas A&M University Press At Google Books. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
2. Fulson biography AllMusic. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
3. Biography AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
4. Lydon, Michael (2004) Ray Charles: Man and Music, p. 140. Routledge At Google Books. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
5. Credits: Texas Blues AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
6. Credits: Boogie Uproar: Texas Blues and R&B 1947–1954 AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
7. “Musician in Charles band” Los Angeles Times Retrieved May 18, 2013.
8. Credits: Home and Away: The Complete Recordings 1960–1970 AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
9. Credits: Collectables Classics AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013.