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.Jasinski, Laurie E. (2011) Handbook of Texas Music. Texas A&M University Press At Google Books. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
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".Fulson biography AllMusic. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
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.Lydon, Michael (2004) Ray Charles: Man and Music, p. 140. Routledge At Google Books. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
Cooper also played, recorded or toured with Lightnin' Hopkins,Credits: Texas Blues AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown,Credits: Boogie Uproar: Texas Blues and R&B 1947–1954 AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. Lowell Fulson, The Righteous Brothers,“Musician in Charles band” Los Angeles Times Retrieved May 18, 2013. Dr. John, Del Shannon,Credits: Home and Away: The Complete Recordings 1960–1970 AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. Bobby Short,Credits: Collectables Classics AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. and Joe Cocker.Biography AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. 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