Cooper Birthday Bash supports Liberty Theatre restoration project

Birthday Bash supports Liberty Theatre restoration project

Contact: Chantell Cosner, Executive Director | The Liberty Theatre Foundation
509-240-6515 | info@libertyonadams.org

November 6, 2012

Photo by Robin Spangler / Matt Cooper, EOU professor of music.

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Matt Cooper Birthday Bash is coming to the Stage Door Theater Friday, Nov. 16.

Performing is none other than the Matt Cooper X-tet, (the “X” representing that band’s irregular number of members), best known for its acid jazz  –  a groove sustaining and funky subgenre with heavy ‘60s and ’70s influence.

As Cooper explains, “I’m trying to honor black artists from Count Basie and Horace Silver through Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson, with a nod to white rock and jazz-rock musicians like Carol King and Steely Dan.”

Special guests will include Greg Johnson on saxophone,  Mike Kellison on guitar, Teun Fetz on drums, and the vocal talent of Sharon Porter.

“The band lacks a bass player because I kick the bass with my left hand on the Hammond organ while my right hand plays an acoustic piano, electric piano or organ sound on the Korg SV1 keyboard,” Cooper says, “so, I’m kind of splitting myself in two.”

Cooper is a professor of music at EOU and a recognized piano soloist. He has performed both solo and chamber recitals throughout the Pacific Northwest, around the world and in La Grande. He is often heard at the local Farmers Market, Ten Depot Street Restaurant and various EOU music functions.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 7 at the Stage Door, an intimate, 50 seat venue with the entrance located on the alley side of the Liberty Theatre building at 1010 Adams Ave.

Tickets to the Matt Cooper Birthday Bash are $10 and available at the Mountaineer Market and Direct Music at 1010 Adams Ave., or at the EOU Bookstore and at the door.

Funds raised will support the Liberty Theatre restoration project. For more information contact Chantell Cosner at 509-240-6515 or e-mail info@libertyonadams.org.