An extroverted trombone stylist best-known for his association with
Duke Ellington,
Buster Cooper's witty style (which sometimes involves hitting repeated, humorous high notes at the conclusion of a song) is always a joy to hear. Early on, he played with Nat Towles' territory band in Texas.
Cooper worked with
Lionel Hampton in 1953, was in the Apollo Theater's house band for two years, played with
Benny Goodman, and formed
the Cooper Brothers Band with his brother
Steve on bass. The trombonist had plenty of solo space with
Duke Ellington's Orchestra from 1962-1969, spent time in Florida, and moved to Los Angeles in 1973, where for the next couple of decades he played with many local jazz orchestras, including
the Juggernaut and Bill Berry's L.A. Band. Oddly enough, the colorful
Buster Cooper has not yet had the opportunity to lead his own record date. ~ Scott Yanow