The Jim Cooper Trio, featuring Jim Cooper, Jim Allen and Kenny Cooper will pay tribute to Louis Armstrong at a special jazz concert at 7 pm on April 12 at the Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad Street, St. Joseph, MI.
Special cabaret seating will be available at $15 per person and general admission at $12 per person. Walk-in tickets are $15. Free admission for children 12 and under. Reserve your seating for this special tribute at https://ticketstripe.com/jim-
Chicago Trumpeter Kenny Cooper will be featured for the tribute concert. He says that when he was 4 or 5 years old, he saw Louis Armstrong on a television show and thought "one day I want to play the trumpet like Mr. Armstrong." His dream has come true. In addition to being one of the most authentic interpreters of Armstrong, he has performed with such illustrious artists as Curtis Mayfield and B.B. King, the group Earth Wind and Fire and played 6 years with Lou Rawls and the Budweiser Jazz Band. He has also shared the stage with Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Chaka Khan. Kenny teaches music to students of all ages.
Jim Cooper, an award winning vibraphonist, composer and educator has been playing vibes and piano for more than 50 years, leading numerous groups and appearing both as a soloist and sideman. Jim has performed with Frank Wess, Milt Hinton, Mark Levine, Ira Sullivan and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble to name a few. He has performed in many jazz festivals and clubs around the country and currently teaches jazz piano at Lake Michigan College.
Jim Allen, drums and percussion, has played a range of musical styles. In addition to being part of the Jim Cooper Trio, he has joined with a number of Southwest Michigan musical groups - notably the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band, the Al Knoll Trio, the ARK Jazz Combo and Ed Bagatini. He also enjoys playing in a "praise band" playing contemporary Christian music. A retired endodontist, Dr. Jim feels fortunate to be more involved in his passion for music.
For more on this and upcoming events at the Box Factory, visit the Box online at boxfactoryforthearts.org, Facebook and Instagram.
