Leroy Cooper (musician)

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{{Infobox musical artist

| image =

| name = Leroy Cooper

| caption =

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| birth_name =

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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1928|08|31}}

| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|01|15|1928|08|31}}

| death_place =

| origin = Dallas, Texas, US

| instrument = Baritone saxophone

| genre = Jazz, R&B

| occupation = Musician, bandleader

| years_active = 1950s–2000

| label =

}}

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.[https://books.google.com/books?id=CE8xiT3pV6QC&dq=Leroy+cooper+sax&pg=PT361 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".[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lowell-fulson-mn0000301955 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.[https://books.google.com/books?id=x5gaY5IYhjwC&dq=Leroy+cooper+sax&pg=PA140 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,[http://www.allmusic.com/album/texas-blues-mw0000207979/credits Credits: Texas Blues] AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown,[http://www.allmusic.com/album/boogie-uproar-texas-blues-and-r-b-1947-1954-mw0000502295/credits Credits: Boogie Uproar: Texas Blues and R&B 1947–1954] AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. Lowell Fulson, The Righteous Brothers,[http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-passings24-2009jan24,0,3779394.story “Musician in Charles band”] Los Angeles Times Retrieved May 18, 2013. Dr. John, Del Shannon,[http://www.allmusic.com/album/home-and-away-the-complete-recordings-1960-1970-mw0000633862/credits Credits: Home and Away: The Complete Recordings 1960–1970] AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. Bobby Short,[http://www.allmusic.com/album/collectables-classics-box-set-mw0000448705/credits Credits: Collectables Classics] AllMusic. Retrieved May 18, 2013. and Joe Cocker.[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/leroy-cooper-mn0000668320 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.