David Cooper is widely recognized as one of the most versatile trumpets players in the Midwest. His performing affiliations include Principal trumpet with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, the New Breed Jazz Quintet, the salsa band “Candela”, Principal show trumpet for the Weidener Center for the Performing Arts as well as performing with many jazz and classical ensembles throughout the region. Performances have been with such renowned artists as; Kurt Elling, Lynn Harrell, Orbert Davis, Ben Sidran, Andre Watts, Bob Mintzer, Joe Williams, Ed Shaunessy, Clyde Stubblefield, Bobby McFerrin, Armen Donelian, Lew Soloff, Bobby Shew, Bob Newhart, Marie Osmond, Robert Goulet, among others. Past ensemble affiliations include the Wisconsin Brass Quintet, the Canton Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Brass, Walt Disney World, The Aspen Jazz Ensemble and the La Crosse and Madison Symphony Orchestras.
As an educator, Dr. Cooper is currently the professor of trumpet and jazz studies at the University of Wisconsin �” Platteville. Master classes, lectures, and private instruction are weekly regimen for his students who receive education in solo and orchestral repertoire, jazz improvisation, commercial, studio, and various ethnic and world music topics. In 2005, Dr. Cooper hosted a trumpet festival that attracted over 450 participants. The principal guests included Adolph Herseth, Doc Severinsen, Charles Lazarus, members of the Minnesota Orchestra trumpet section among other wonderful players. As a clinician, he has lectured and performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, New York Brass Conference, and is a regular clinician at the Eau Claire, La Crosse and Dubuque jazz festivals as well as a very active soloist/clinician with regional schools and community ensembles.
As a published author, his website, www.DavidCooperMusic.com produces and sells a number of his music publications and recordings. These publications include an adaptation of the Bach cello suites for trumpet, numerous jazz transcription books, a book/CD of arias arranged and adapted for Mezzo- Soprano and Trumpet, and most recently, Bartók’s 44 duets transcribed and edited for two trumpets. Publishing affiliations include, Tom Harrell, Hal Leonard Corp., Chas. Colin Publishing, Roger Dean Publications and the Lorenz Corp.
David is also in demand as a composer and arranger with numerous jazz, rock and commercial ensembles, large and small. He has composed and sequenced soundtracks for theater, television, radio and corporate purposes. Affiliations include UW-La Crosse Theater Department, Madison Theatre Guild, The Heibing Advertising Group, John Roach Projects, Knupp & Watson, Normco Productions, Newell Corporation, and the Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Dr. Cooper received his Bachelor of Music from Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI, his Master of Music from the University of Akron in Ohio, and his Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
