Leroy Cooper
August 31, 1928 – January 15, 2009
Leroy Cooper was a jazz saxophonist who is perhaps best remembered for his nearly two decades playing with Ray Charles. During his time with Charles, at times as bandleader, Cooper played on such classic recordings as “Crying Time,” “In the Heat of the Night,” and his iconic version of “America the Beautiful.” Cooper also played with the likes of Joe Cocker, Lowell Fulson, Dr. John, Lightnin’ Hopkins and the Righteous Brothers. Leroy Cooper was 80 when he died of heart failure on January 15, 2009.
Thanks to Craig Rosen from Number1Albums for the assist.
Just for the record Leroy was born on August 31, 1928. I had been working with him for 2 years on his upcoming memoir which should be published in 2009.
Susan Cross