Veteran vibraphonist, composer and educator, Jim Cooper has
played vibes for over 30 years, leading numerous groups, appearing as
both soloist and sideman. Originally from Chicago, Jim played piano and drums as a teenager and started playing the vibes during his early years a college student.
Cooper was a major figure on the Chicago jazz scene in the 1980s, and 90s, with
pianist/composer Bob Dogan. The Jim Cooper/Bob Dogan Quintet played in many clubs, concerts and festivals including The Green Mill, Andy’s, The Jazz Showcase, the Chicago Jazz Fair and The Chicago Jazz Festival. Jim was also an original member of the Chicago Coalition Jazz Septet.
As a Delmark Recording Artist in the early 1990s, Cooper gained recognition with his two CDs, Tough Town and Nutville. Both feature the legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan. Both received favorable reviews from both Downbeat and Jazz Times magazines, Cooper being called, “a warm vibist who goes for the heart.”
After completing his Masters Degree in 1996, Jim was offered a three-month teaching position in Taiwan. Upon his return, he moved to West Michigan and discovered many performing and teaching opportunities, performing at The Firefly, The Lansing, Thornapple, Sutton’s Bay, Allegan and Idlewild Jazz Festivals, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge and joined the Touring Arts Program sponsored by the Michigan Humanities Council.
Jim co-founded Lakeshore Jazz Connection, Inc., a non-profit organization that sponsors jazz concerts and workshops and has been the Artistic Director of LJC since 1999. LJC dissolved in 2008. Jim is also an active educator, teaching at Lake Michigan College, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and conducts jazz clinics.
In 2003, Jim and his wife Gini founded Jazmyn Records and released
Itchin' To Groove, which showcases Cooper’s compositions as well. All three of Jim’s CDs are available at www.cdbaby.com.
During Jim’s career he has performed with Barrett Deems, Billy Brimfield, Wilbur Campbell, Gene Esposito, Jodie Christian, Bob Dogan, Art Van Damme, Paulinho Garcia, Harry Goldson, Jeff Haas, Ira Sullivan, and The Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra among others.
FOR BOOKING INFO CONTACT JAZMYN PRODUCTIONS AT 269 857-2800 OR EMAIL: jazmynproductions@comcast.net
