Album Notes

Jazz vibraphonist Jim Cooper’s first recording on Delmark, Tough Town grew out of an initial association with the legendary multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, Ira is featured on sax, flute and trumpet. Also featured on this recording is pianist and composer Bob Dogan, bassist Dan Delorenzo, drummer Charlie Braugham and percussionist Alejo Poveda.

Jim has been gaining recognition as one of the premier performers on his instrument, the vibraphone. Growing up in the Windy City, Cooper was influenced by the thriving Chicago music scene of blues, rock, rhythm and blues and jazz.

Born and raised in Chicago, Jim's approach to playing the vibes comes from his years as a drummer and pianist. First playing drums and piano in rock and roll and R&B bands as a teenager, Jim started playing the vibes as a college student. He played free-jazz in a southside basement with a group called the Chicago Jazz Workshop. The band practiced nightly on their improvising skills until the wee-small hours of the morning. Then, it was off to jam sessions, learning jazz standards, writing lead sheets of his favorite tunes and learning how to lead a band. Jim has been influenced by the three Bs: Bags, Bobby and Burton; the modern sounds of Bobby Hutcherson, the blues of Milt Jackson and the playing of Gary Burton. Cal Tjader became as later influence as well. Through the years Cooper has learned his craft and has "grown into a most listenable improvisor." Chicago Reader.

Jim has performed with Ira Sullivan, Art Van Damme, Arizona pianist Armand Boatman, Barrett Deems, and the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and Larry Vuckovich among others. He has appeared several times at the Chicago Jazz Festival as well as Sutton’s Bay, Allegan, Lansing and Idlewild Jazz Festivals and has played in clubs, concerts and sessions in Chicago, Grand Rapids, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Toledo, Los Angeles and Boston.

In addition tunes by Dizzy Gillespie Hubert Laws and Luiz Eca, Tough Town features original compositions by Cooper and pianist Bob Dogan. "This is Cooper's debut recording, but he's no kid judging by his picture and his mature lines." Jazz Times