In Episode 5 we catch up with Dr. Jack Cooper. A busy man, Cooper is director of jazz studies at the University of Memphis, currently he also serves as the Composer and Arranger in Residence for the Berlin Jazz Orchestra, and performs with various ensembles. We delve into the nitty gritty of working in music both in and out of the world of academia. We do geek out and get into the weeds at times and details are plentiful, but lots of great information to be had.
Show Notes
1:50 Cooper’s current projects and travels. Memphis as an incubator for musical talent. Former students who have gone on to do great things.
22:38 Carl tosses a Larry King style softball…”What does a jazz education afford someone today?” The Unanswered Ives documentary (check it out below).
42:45 More talk about Charles Ives the great 20th century American composer. We nerd out again but lots of great info. How did Ives project come about? Wow Berg for big band?
56:14 What is the experience like living in both worlds (jazz and classical). Nerd alert
1:01:05 Carl goes to Branson, MO. Jonathan goes to a Prince…more nerd alert. Back on track to thinking about hopes for Memphis. Post Malone?
1:22:00 Teaching composition students. Gee whiz if I am a composer you mean I have to write a lot of music?
1:29:00. How do you measure your output on a writing day?
1:35:45 Transcribing as a teaching tool. Reverse composition. Get into the weeds…lots of fun.
1:53:30 No I didn’t move. No I’m not moving. Life in Berlin…music, life, history.
links
https://www.memphis.edu/music/fac-staff/bios/cooper-j.php
http://accentus.com/productions/the-unanswered-ives