Gigs at a Glance

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim completed his B.A. degree in Music Education (K-12) and Percussion from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. He completed his M.M. degree in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University.  He has taught jazz during summer sessions at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp since 2001 and currently teaches music at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, MI.

"Thank you for your wonderful clinic, Jim.  The students loved hearing you play. The information handout you gave out was informative. My students were really excited about the things you showed them.  They've been practicing like crazy ever since!!!"

Patricia Brumbaugh, West High School, Traverse City, Michigan



 CLINICS

1.  “PLAYING JAZZ VIBES IN A NUTSHELL”

with percussion students at University of Wisconsin/Parkside, Dave Bayles, Director

   

2.  JAZZ IMPROVISATION/COMBO CLINIC 

  

                   Combo clinic at Desert Mountain High School, Scottsdale, AZ

 

3.  GOOD VIBES:  A HISTORICAL LOOK AT THE JAZZ VIBRAPHONE

 Jim talks about the contributions and styles of Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson Cal Tjader, Gary Burton and Bobby Hutcherson and performs songs from their recordings.  If there is internet access and projector,  YouTube clips can be played to enhance the presentation.

 "We enjoyed a warm jazz program on a bleak winter afternoon last February. Jim Cooper presented “Good Vibes” a historical tribute to jazz vibraphone players. Mr. Cooper, a jazz vibraphone player, interspersed video clips of the greats with a performance in each musicians’ style.  This program was hit with our audience as it was musically entertaining and educationally stimulating."

 Martha Boetcher, Library Director, Saugatuck-Douglas District Library

 

  2017 South Suburban College Jazz Festival Clinician/Adjudicator and Performer

 

"You are the most organized mentor we've had in the program..."

Kewit-Wang Mentorship Program, Jazz Institute of Chicago

 

 JIM HAS GIVEN CLINICS AND WORKSHOPS AT THESE SELECTED SCHOOLS AND VENUES:

Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI; "A Melodic Approach to Improvising," 

West and Central High Schools, Traverse City, MI; “Playing Jazz Vibes in a Nutshell”

South Suburban College, South Holland, IL; Adjudicator/Performer

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ; vibes/improvisation

Aquinas College Jazz Camp, Grand Rapids, MI; vibes, piano, combos

Desert Mountain High School, Scottsdale, AZ, Jazz Improvisation 

Michigan State University, East Lansing; vibes clinic

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp; piano, big band, improvisation

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, WI; vibes clinic

National Institute of the Arts, Taiwan, vibes, history and improvisation

Saugatuck/Douglas District Library, MI

  For information regarding fees and dates, email Jim at: jimcoopermusic@comcast.net