Ian Cooper (violinist)

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Ian Cooper
Background information
Birth nameIan Cooper
Born (1970-08-14) 14 August 1970 (age 53)
OriginMona Vale, Sydney, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Violin, Viola, Electric Cello
Years active1986 – present
Websiteiancooper.com

Ian Cooper (born 14 August 1970) is an Australian violinist. He was commissioned to compose and perform the "Tin Symphony" for the opening ceremony of the Games of the XXVII Olympiad[1] in Sydney. The event was televised worldwide with an estimated 2.85 billion viewers. He performs many musical styles including Classical, Gypsy,[2] Jazz,[3] Irish & Country music and has appeared with Tommy Emmanuel,[4] James Morrison,[5] Olivia Newton-John, Barry White, Simon Tedeschi,[6] Deni Hines, and Silverchair.

Background[edit]

Cooper began learning the violin at age 4 from his mother Jan Cooper, a Suzuki Violin teacher. He performed the Seitz Violin Concerto No. 2 Allegro Moderato at age 6 on the Seven Network's 11AM program with Roger Climpson. At age 7, Cooper performed concerts in the US and Canada, representing Australia at the Suzuki Violin World Conference. At age 8, he was awarded a scholarship to the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music[7] in Sydney where he studied with Christopher Kimber, Harry Curby, and Laslo Kiss. He was subsequently awarded a music scholarship to Knox Grammar School where he also studied drums and percussion. At age 10, a performance in Japan was broadcast on NHK Television.

In 1990, Cooper was mentored by the French Jazz Violinist Stéphane Grappelli. After performing with the guitarist Tommy Emmanuel at his invitation at the Sydney Opera House in 1992, Cooper joined Emmanuel on tour until 1997. Cooper has also been a member of trumpeter James Morrison's sextet since 2007.

Instruments[edit]

Cooper's main performing violin was made by E.H. Roth in Markneukirchen, Germany in 1926 and is modelled on an Antonio Stradivari 1714 Cremona instrument. His preferred violin for recording was made by Glanville & Co. in Sydney and is based on a Guarneri violin. His electric violins are Epoch,[8] David Guscott[9] and E.F. Keebler.

Discography[edit]

Awards and recognition[edit]

Ace Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1999[11] Ian Cooper Instrumental Act of the Year Won
2000[12] Ian Cooper Instrumental Act of the Year Won
2016[13] Ian Cooper Instrumental Act of the Year Won

Golden Fiddle Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
2005 Ian Cooper Best CD by a fiddler as soloist Won
2006[14] Ian Cooper Best fiddler soloist Won
Ian Cooper - Big Band Best CD by a fiddler as soloist Won
2014 Ian Cooper Best fiddler as a soloist Won
Ian Cooper's International Spectacular Best Band Won

Mo Awards[edit]

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Ian Cooper won two awards in that time[15]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1998 Ian Cooper Instrumental Performer of the Year Won
1999 Ian Cooper Instrumental Performer of the Year Won

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "The Games of the XXVII Olympiad 2000". Music from the Opening Ceremony. Sony Music, BMG Australia Limited. September 2000. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  2. ^ "Gypsy Passion Plays in Three Easy Pieces". Ian Cooper – "Ian's World". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 November 1995. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Brisbane Jazz Festival". Ian Date & Ian Cooper. Jazz Queensland. 28 November 2010. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  4. ^ "Tommy Emmanuel & Ian Cooper". On Stage. The Whole Guitarist. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  5. ^ "James Morrison & Ian Cooper". Blue Mountains Concert Society. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Simon Tedeschi & Ian Cooper on ABC Radio". Simon Tedeschi & Ian Cooper. 702 ABC Radio Sydney. 4 October 2009. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Alumni" (PDF). Sydney Conservatorium on Music. Sydney University. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Epoch Players". Epoch Musical Instruments. Epoch Strings. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Toowoomba luthier creates one-of-a-kind electric violin before retiring". ABC News. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  10. ^ "La Brava Music". Ian Cooper – Ballads and Bossa Nova. La Brava Music. 2009. Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Instrumental Act of the year". Australian Club Entertainment Awards. 1999. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  12. ^ "ACE Awards". Instrumentalist of the year. Australian Club Entertainment Awards. 2000. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  13. ^ "ACE Award Winners 2016".
  14. ^ "Golden Fiddle Awards". Golden Fiddle Awards. 2006. Archived from the original on 16 September 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  15. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.