Leroy Cooper

Leroy "Hog" Cooper (August 31, 1928 – January 15, 2009) was an American jazz and R&B baritone saxophonist, most known for his 20-year association, some of the time as musical director/bandleader, with Ray Charles.

From 1948 to 1951, Cooper toured with Ernie Fields' territory band.

A childhood friend of David "Fathead" Newman, in 1954 the two played together in the sax section backing Lowell Fulson on his first single for Chess Records, "Reconsider Baby".

In 1957, Newman recommended Cooper to Charles,

Cooper also played, recorded or toured with Lightnin' Hopkins, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Lowell Fulson, The Righteous Brothers, Dr. John, Del Shannon, Bobby Short, and Joe Cocker. He performed locally in Orlando until the time of his death, with the Smokin' Torpedoes & Josh Miller Blues Band.

Discography As sideman with Ray Charles

with Hank Crawford 1960: More Soul (Atlantic) 1961: The Soul Clinic (Atlantic) 1962: From the Heart (Atlantic) 1964: True Blue (Atlantic) 1965: Dig These Blues (Atlantic) With Curtis Amy Mustang (Verve, 1967) various 1954: "Reconsider Baby" – Lowell Fulson (Chess) 1975: Hollywood Be Thy Name – Dr. John 1978: Luxury You Can Afford – Joe Cocker 1988: Big News from Baton Rouge!! – Kenny Neal 1990: Return to the Wide Open Spaces – David Newman 1990: Noble & Nat – Noble "Thin Man" Watts and Nat Adderley 1991: Walking on Fire – Kenny Neal