Jack Cooper

Jack Cooper (b. 1963) grew up in a rich musical environment of many styles of music. This is reflected in his chamber works all the way through his large ensemble and vocal writing. From 1989 thru 1995, Jack served in the sax section and as staff arranger touring and recording with the U.S. Army Jazz Knights. Since 1993, he has a long list of works with CPP Belwin, Warner Brothers, Alfred, UNC Jazz Press, and numerous other publishers; numerous recordings of his works can be heard with Summit, Centaur, SkyDeck and Origin Records. He is the musical director of the Jazz Orchestra of the Delta. Jack has severed as the staff arranger with the Berlin Jazz Orchestra since 2015; his music can be heard internationally in live performances and through broadcast media.

Jack earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from California State University, Los Angeles and eventually a doctorate in composition from the University of Texas at Austin. He is currently Professor of Music (jazz studies) at the University of Memphis Scheidt School of Music (since 1998). He served on the faculty of the Hochschule der populären Künste in Berlin (2015-16) and currently lives in both Memphis TN and in the Schöneberg district of Berlin, Germany.