Matt's playing on drummer Lee McKinney's new album "Reflections in Two Shades" (Summit Records)—now in position #74 on the jazz charts—is earning praise from the critics! George Harris (Jazz Weekly) says "Cooper's ivories chime and charm" while Dee Dee McNeil (Making a Scene) praises his "mad technique and inspired creativity."
Matt's book chapter, "Beyond Category: Duke Ellington as American Piano Original," was just published in "Legacies of Power in American Music: Essays in Honor of Michael J. Budds," edited by Judith A. Mabary, by the College Music Society/Routledge.
Matt’s album “Two for the Road” with vocalist Sharon Porter was reviewed by Brett Campbell in “Oregon ArtsWatch!”
WHO IS MATT COOPER?
Performer, author, educator and clinician, Matt Cooper is one of the busiest and most versatile keyboardists in the Inland Northwest. His performances range from jazz and blues to chamber music recitals and concertos. Author of a groundbreaking book on Duke Ellington’s piano styles, he performs on acoustic and digital piano, Hammond organ, Hohner melodica and accordion. Ranging from straight ahead jazz to blues, funk and bluegrass, as well as traditional recitals of classical and new music, he is in demand as a performer and adjudicator throughout the Northwest and beyond.
Jazz Pianist / Conference Artist
While in Amsterdam for the Ellington conference, Matt gave an interview on the Dutch television station VPRO on May 11, 2014.
See his interview on the program "Vrije Geluiden" (Free Sounds), including a performance of "Take the 'A' Train," here:
Interview on Dutch television about Ellington as Pianist (Matt's interview starts about 20+ minutes in)
See his interview on the program "Vrije Geluiden" (Free Sounds), including a performance of "Take the 'A' Train," here:
Interview on Dutch television about Ellington as Pianist (Matt's interview starts about 20+ minutes in)
Classical Pianist
In February 2009, Matt performed the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Inland Northwest Musicians:
Author
Matt's book Duke Ellington as Pianist: A Study of Styles was published in November 2013.
This volume represents the first book-length study devoted exclusively to Duke Ellington as pianist.
For more information and to purchase a copy, click here and choose Volume 24.
This volume represents the first book-length study devoted exclusively to Duke Ellington as pianist.
For more information and to purchase a copy, click here and choose Volume 24.
