Take a “fun and funky” trip with Patrick Cooper back to The Way It Used To Be

Critics, radio and record buyers already aboard the keyboardist’s jazz-funk train

Upper Marlboro, MD (12 July 2011): People are feeling the new album from keyboardist Patrick Cooper, who today released The Way It Used To Be, a modern collection of vintage jazz-funk and melodic R&B grooves that he wrote and produced to pay homage to the halcyon days of the 1970’s when free-form jazz mingled with R&B, soul and funk. Enthusiastic reviews, radio play and pre-release record sales are positive indicators that Cooper’s mission to capture the best hallmark qualities of music from “back in the day” is “Struttn’” on the path to success.

The first single serviced to radio from The Way It Used To Be, which was released on Cooper’s Depth In Sound record label and distributed by Allegro Distribution, “Struttn’” is a feel-good, shake your rump jazz-funk tune prancing with pride to an irresistible piano cadence. The track has been collecting airplay at stations across the nation and was amongst the most added singles the past two weeks according to Billboard’s BDSradio.

The Way It Used To Be has received only favorable reviews from music critics while demand for the album, Cooper’s sophomore offering, has placed the CD in the top 100 at CD Universe ahead of today’s official release date.

A regular performer on the Washington, DC-Baltimore area club scene, Cooper recently played a pair of jam-packed album release gigs to help launch The Way It Used To Be. Although he can be found on stage in the vicinity virtually every week, he is determined to make a big splash at his September 7^th show at Blues Alley, reputed as DC’s finest jazz supper club.

Below are excerpts from a handful of early album reviews:

All Music: “The real focuses in the music remain with the headliner, first because of the strength of his compositions. Cooper has come up with strong melodies for his tunes, which often sound like songs that ought to have words…The second major mark of the lead artist, however, is his inventive acoustic piano soloing, which bobs in and out of the music. Whenever Cooper is spraying notes on his un-electrified keyboards (and even when he takes to a Rhodes on ‘The Way It Used To Be’), he provides the jazz content that was always a major element in the music of the ‘70s artists he reveres and evokes here.”

Jazz Weekly: “Keyboardist Patrick Cooper has no qualms about the danceable grooves on his disc, as he simply brings the infectious vibe from the church into the street. Songs like ‘Struttn’’ and ‘Side Steppn’’ fill up a disc that has more hooks than the Ali-Frazier fight, with [a] collection of sanctified soul getting you ready to put some Afro Sheen back in your hair. The team of David Dyson/b, Dwayne Thomas/g, Stanley Cooper/g, Phillip Martin/sax and Nehemiah Booker/voc make up just part of the team that rotates like the stage on Soul Train. Fun and funky!”

Smooth & Soul: “Patrick Cooper's The Way It Used To Be is a magic collection of songs. Not just a pure retrospective to jazz and funk of the past, but a modern variation of contemporary jazz made-to-measure for all music aficionados.”

Sounds of Timeless Jazz: “The Way It Used To Be is funky, jazzy and soulful and just in time for your smooth summer groove.”

Smooth Vibes: “Although achieving his goal of capturing the sound and spirit of music produced decades ago, Cooper has also used the project to show off his considerable skills as a performer, composer and producer…he has delivered a quality body of work that effortlessly builds a bridge between the present and what has gone before.”

Smooth & Soul: “The only thing to do when this CD ends is press ‘play’ again and let the combination of the soulful, the groovy and the classy wash over you again. Patrick Cooper, in these eight original compositions, has taken the best of the 70’s soul and funk vibe and brought it bang up to date with a punchy and purposeful production.”

Further information about Cooper is available at www.pcoopjazz.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rick Scott 310.306.0375

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Keyboardist Patrick Cooper aims to make the past present on The Way It Used To Be

Album of jazzy R&B instrumentals will be released July 12,

prefaced by the undeniably funky radio single, “Struttn’”

Upper Marlboro, MD (20 April 2011): From the opening infectious and danceable notes rhythmically tapped out by keyboardist Patrick Cooper on “Struttn’,” the first radio single from his forthcoming second album, The Way It Used To Be, the vibe is instantly set for a throwback collection that puts a contemporary spin on vintage jazz funk. The disc comprised of eight original songs penned and produced by Cooper that celebrate the best qualities of the past will be released July 12^th on the artist’s own Depth In Sound record label, which is distributed by Allegro Distribution.

Cooper’s loving salute to music from the seminal experimental days when soulful R&B balladry and grooves, free-spirited improvisational jazz and feel-good funk first intersected adopts the best traits from that bygone era. Cooper’s recipe begins with writing quality songs. His potent hooks constructed of memorable melodies meaningfully touch and inspire. Cooper’s piano and keyboards occupy the throne in the kingdom of organically produced tracks outfitted with live drums, bass, guitar and sax along with soothing vocal and horn section swatches that add warmth, lilt and animation. Joining Cooper in the studio were bassists David Dyson, Tommy Tordsson and Corey Baker, drummers Dwayne Thomas, Jay Williams and Mark Stewart, guitarists Stanley Cooper, Alvin White and Robert “WaWa” LeGrand, saxophonists Phillip “Doc” Martin and Bryan Mills, and vocalist Nehemiah Booker. Tony Hemming contributed additional keyboards and co-produced the single and title track with Cooper, an artist who has the passion and ambition to build an enduring musical brand by creating music that follows the fundamentals and ideals of yesteryear.

“I titled the album The Way It Used To Be with the goal of capturing the sound and spirit from music produced decades ago. To me, it feels like artists have gotten away from writing music with substance and significance. When I look at the body of music created by artists like George Duke, The Crusaders and a myriad of other jazz greats that influence my work, it’s amazing how they were able to blend sounds and to work magic with the keys. That’s the sound and style I had in mind. I believe that the best music from our past forms the foundation from which the best music of today and tomorrow emerges,” Cooper stated.

A video clip for the flirtatious urban adult contemporary track, “I’m That Man,” which features a vocal chorus sung by Booker, has garnered considerable airplay throughout the country. The clip can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxP26OOgxO4&feature=youtube_gdata_player.

While growing up in Portland, Oregon, Cooper was fascinated by the harmonies, color and voicing created by church organists and keyboardists. He taught himself how to read music and jazz theory. By 18, he became his church’s primary keyboardist and organist. A few years later, he honed his songwriting skills in the secular world by playing in a popular local contemporary jazz band, N-Touch, that garnered acclaim via performances at clubs and festivals. After a move to Washington, DC a decade ago, Cooper’s music career began to flourish via recording collaborations with Dyson, Martin, Jackiem Joyner, Marcus Johnson, and Jaared. He has shared the concert stage with Nick Colionne, Michael Lington, Freddie Jackson, Bobby Lyle, Regina Belle, Mike Phillips, Marion Meadows, Maysa, and Kim Waters. Cooper appeared on television as the musical director for the nationally syndicated series Eighty-One-O-One (8101). In 2007, he released his debut album, That Day, which was reissued the following year as Vibin after adding two new tracks and landing a distribution deal. The title track earned most added honors at radio where it peaked at #38 on the charts. Additional information is available at www.pcoopjazz.com.

The songs on Cooper’s The Way It Used To Be are:

“Struttn’”

“Come Sunday”

“Next 2 U”

“The Way It Used To Be”

“I’m That Man”

“Side Steppn’”

“Denise”

“It’s OK To Move”

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