[Dixielandjazz] Leroy Cooper

[Robert Ringwald]

 This from Allan Vache:


> I'm sorry to report that Leroy Cooper, famous sideman and baritone
> saxophonist with Ray Charles, passed away yesterday. Leroy lived in 
> Orlando  in the
> latter part of his life and lead the "Dixie Deltas" at Walt Disney World 
> for
> many years. Here is a brief bio:
>
> Leroy Cooper
> August 31, 1928 - January 15, 2009 RIP Leroy's  extensive career as a
> saxophone player started when he was a child, but  eventually brought him 
> into Ray
> Charles' band as baritone sax player. It wasn't  long before Leroy Cooper 
> was
> the bandleader for the band/orchestra that toured  the world with Ray 
> Charles.
> His studio work includes recording with Joe Cocker,  Dr. John, Wayne 
> Newton,
> Cher, and many other legendary performers. A childhood  friend of David
> "Fathead" Newman's, Leroy also remains close to Ernest  Vantrease, aka 
> "The Deacon"
> and keyboard player for Ray Charles for 30 years.  Vantrease is now the 
> keyboard
> player for B.B. King. Leroy's musical talents  bridge the gap between big
> band, blues, jazz and "society bands." Leroy Cooper  has played in some of 
> the
> most unlikely places as well as the most well-known  venues in the world. 
> Leroy
> continues to play in the Orlando area at the Steinway  Piano Gallery in
> Altamonte Springs on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, starting at  6 PM. He 
> also plays
> at various other jazz and blues venues and is featured in  the Josh Miller
> Blues Revue. He headlines a monthly jazz jam at the Altamonte  Chapel the 
> last
> Sunday of the month. Keep your ears open and catch Leroy around  town 
> blowing
> his bari, alto and soprano saxophones in the jazz and blues  arenas.
>
> He was a great player and a great guy. He will be  missed.
> Allan