Bob Cooper - Coop! The Music Of Bob Cooper

Having listened to all of Bob Cooper's jazz appearances on record in recent years in the function of record reviewer, I regret that the fact I am writing these liner notes will preclude my reviewing this, his latest set. It is his best, I feel, to this point; and it is his best partly because it represents a considerable growth in his conception as a writer and player in the direction of spareness, of that "less is more" discovery most artists achieve as they mature and find their own voice. 

Cooper, being as articulate verbally as he is in music, is actually the primary annotator of these proceedings. *Nat Hentoff, September 19, 1957 (liner notes)* 

A tremendous early album from this west coast tenorist – really breaking out here in a smaller group setting than usual! Coop plays tenor, in a group with Victor Feldman on vibes, Loy Levy on piano, Frank Rosolino on tormbone, and Mel Lewis on drums!  (Out of print.) *dustygroove.com*

Cooper was a mainstay of the west coast jazz scene of the '50s.A member of Stan Kenton's band and the Lighthouse All Stars (regulars of the Lighthouse Club in Hermosa Beach,California). He was married to singer June Christy who he met in the Kenton band (Kenton forbid June to have any serious relationships with the guys in the band but could'nt help June and Bob falling for each other). June passed away in 1990 and Cooper was heartbroken, he died a short 3 years later of a heartattack. This album is from happier days in the '50s with his west coast pals the Candoli brothers, Frank Rosolino, Victor Feldman, Lou Levy, and Mel Lewis. The first half is a suite called "Jazz Theme" which includes a bit of big band trumpet blasts within a small group. The other tracks include Charlie Parker's "Confirmation", the standard "Easy Living", and the Gershwin's "Somebody Loves Me". A overall fine album for west coast cool fans and one of the few Cooper cut under his own leadership. *rateyourmusic.com*

Tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper's only Contemporary album (reissued on CD in the Original Jazz Classics series) is a near-classic and one of his finest recordings. Cooper, along with trombonist Frank Rosolino, vibraphonist Victor Feldman, pianist Lou Levy, bassist Max Bennett, and drummer Mel Lewis, performs colorful versions of five standards (best are "Confirmation", "Easy Living", and "Somebody Loves Me") that show off his attractive tone and ability to swing at any tempo. Half of the release consists of his "Jazz Theme and Four Variations", a very interesting work that holds together quite well throughout 23-and-a-half minutes and five movements. Three trumpeters (including Conte Candoli) and one trombone are added to make the ensembles richer. This set is an underrated gem. *Scott Yanow*

Jazz Theme And Four Variations

(Bob Cooper)

1 - Main Theme: Sunday Mood

2 - 1st Varation: A Blue Period

3 - 2nd Varation: Happy Changes

4 - 3rd Varation: Night Stroll

5 - 4th Varation: Saturday Dance

✤

6 - Confirmation

(Charlie Parker)

7 - Easy Living

(Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger)

8 - Frankie & Johnny

(Traditional)

9 - Day Dream

(Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn)

10 - Somebody Loves Me

(George Gershwin, Ballard MacDonald, B. G. DeSylva)

Bob Cooper (tenor sax, arranger); Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli, Don Fagerquist (trumpets [#3, #4, #5]); Frank Rosolino, Johnny Halliburton [#3, #4, #5] (trombones); Victor Feldman (vibes); Lou Levy (piano); Max Bennett (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).

Recorded at Contemporary's Studio, Los Angeles, California, August 26 (#1, #2, #6 to #10) and 27 (#3, #4, #5), 1957