Rob Cooper (blues musician) facts for kids

Robert Cooper was an American Texas blues pianist and songwriter. He was part of a group of blues pianists called the 'Santa Fe Group'. These musicians played in many juke joints, which were clubs near the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway tracks.

In 1934, Rob Cooper was the first from the 'Santa Fe Group' to record music. He is best known for playing piano with Joe Pullum. Cooper played on many songs between 1934 and 1936. His music was released by record labels like Bluebird and Victor. Not much is known about Cooper's life outside of his music career.

About Rob Cooper's Music Journey

Historians believe Rob Cooper was a bit older than Hersal Thomas, who was born in 1906. However, we don't know much about Cooper's early life. He was considered one of the best pianists in the 'Santa Fe Group'. His playing style was similar to other blues musicians like Robert Shaw.

Cooper's songs often included parts of ragtime music. This style was very clear in his own recordings, "West Dallas Drag" and "West Dallas Drag No. 2".

First Recording Sessions

Rob Cooper's first recording session happened on April 3, 1934. It took place at the Texas Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. He recorded six songs that day. One song was with Joe Pullum, where Cooper played piano. The song was called "Black Gal What Makes Your Head So Hard?".

Another song was a piano solo by Cooper himself, called "West Dallas Drag". These two songs were released together on a Bluebird Records disc. People bought many copies of this record.

More Recordings and Style

Cooper returned to San Antonio with Joe Pullum on January 29, 1935. They recorded eight more songs. Cooper played piano for Pullum on songs like "Married Woman Blues". He also recorded his own instrumental songs, "McKinney Street Stomp" and "Blues With Class". Pullum added spoken words to these songs.

Cooper also recorded "West Dallas Drag No. 2". This song, along with "McKinney Street Stomp" and the first "West Dallas Drag", were Cooper's versions of an older song. That song was "The Ma Grinder" by Robert Shaw. These songs were difficult to play. They showed how good Cooper was at playing stride piano and ragtime music. He used a special technique with his left hand, which showed he was a very skilled piano player. These songs were released by the Victor record label.

A third recording session happened on February 25, 1936. Cooper again played piano for Pullum. These songs were released as singles on the Bluebird label. Some titles included "Come On, If You're Comin'" and "Bonus Blues". Other musicians, Chester Boone (trumpet) and Melvin Martin (guitar), also played on these recordings. Joe Pullum usually had Cooper play piano on his earlier records. Later, another pianist named Andy Boy played with Pullum.

What Happened Next?

After 1936, it's not clear what happened to Rob Cooper. One advertisement from 1946 mentioned a Robert Cooper playing piano and singing. However, we don't know if it was the same person. Another source simply said that Rob Cooper disappeared. Not many other details are known about his later life.

Where to Hear His Music

You can find "West Dallas Drag" and "West Dallas Drag No. 2" on a 1977 album called The Piano Blues Vol. 8: Texas Seaport 1934-1937. Most of Cooper's recordings, including his piano solos, are on the album Joe Pullum : Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1934-35).

The Santa Fe Group: A Unique Piano Style

The 'Santa Fe Group' or 'Texas Santa Fe' style of piano playing refers to musicians connected to the Santa Fe Railroad tracks. In the 1920s and 1930s, many juke joints were located along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Black pianists often played there in a similar way.

This style mixed dance music, boogie-woogie, ragtime, and blues. Musicians like Rob Cooper, Black Boy Shine, Robert Shaw, and Andy Boy were part of this group. Many other pianists played this style but were never recorded. The Santa Fe style was known to come from the Fourth Ward area of Houston. Other blues musicians from Houston, like Lightnin' Hopkins (from the Third Ward) and George Washington Thomas (from the Fifth Ward), had different playing styles.

Rob Cooper's Legacy

Bill Wyman, a famous musician from The Rolling Stones, chose "West Dallas Drag" for his 2002 album, Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey. This song was originally recorded by Rob Cooper in San Antonio in 1934.

Discography

Compilation Albums Featuring Rob Cooper

• The Piano Blues Vol. 8 Texas Seaport 1934-1937 – (1977) – Magpie
• Joe Pullum : Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 1 (1934-35) – (1995) – Document
  • Musicians: Joe Pullum (vocals); Rob Cooper, Andy Boy (piano)
• Joe Pullum : Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 2 (1933-51) – (1995) – Document
  • Musicians: Joe Pullum (vocals); Andy Boy (vocals, piano); Walter "Cowboy" Washington (vocals); Melvin Martin, Tiny Webb (guitar); Chester Boone (trumpet); Rob Cooper, Lloyd Glenn (piano); William K. "Billy" Hadnott (double bass); Bob Harvey (drums)

See also

• List of Texas blues musicians