Search - John Cooper :: Watching for Watching Plaza

Class is now in session!!

Justin Marlowe | Milwaukee, WI | 09/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"His students know him as a philosophical pragmatist. On "Watching for Watchung Plaza", Dr. John Cooper employs a similar pragmatism, borrowing from an enormous musical pallette to create this wonderfully diverse and beautifully conceived set of original tunes.From the straight-ahead hard swinging "Thaddish" to the uniquely Latin feel of "In Town Samba" to the rock-tinged, atonal exploration "Matrix", Cooper employs his total command of the entire jazz idiom, and beyond. In the end, "Watching" demonstrates his deep respect for the jazz tradition, relentless curiosity, and unique ability to incorporate just about anything into a tightly-knit musical statement.Perhaps even more impressive than his creative durability is his prowess as a bandleader, for the set features the trumpeter with four of the baddest players in greater Detroit. Together, these five master craftsmen provide the synergistic push that only musicians of this calibur can offer. On solo after phenominal solo, the band probes each tune in-depth, while always maintaining a serious groove, whatever it may be.I suggest you get the set and dig in. Not only is "Watching for Watchung Plaza" a great record, but as Dr. Cooper's students will tell you, you might learn something, too."