Saxman Cooper Wins Society Tribute Award; Ellington Group Recruiting New Members

Saxophonist Bob Cooper, long revered for his work with Stan Kenton’s orchestra, Howard Rumsey’s Lighthouse All-Stars and his own small groups, has been selected for the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s 1989 Tribute Award. Cooper was chosen by the society for his “contribution to the development and history of jazz,” said Teri Merrill-Aarons, the organization’s president-founder.

Cooper will be feted at a gala presentation and concert Sept. 10 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Los Angeles. He was one of six nominees selected by an executive advisory committee made up of Merrill-Aarons and past honorees--pianists Gerald Wiggins and Jimmy Rowles, guitarist John Collins and bassist Red Callender. Flip Manne, the widow of Shelly Manne, represented the late drummer. The other nominees this year were saxophonists Teddy Edwards and Harold Land, trumpeter Conte Candoli, bassist Monty Budwig and guitarist Joe Pass.

Other 1989 winners, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Shelly Manne Memorial New Talent award, will be announced at a jazz brunch July 23 at the Hollywood Holiday Inn. Information: (213) 469-6800.

GET ABOARD DUKE’S TRAIN: The Southern California chapter of the Duke Ellington Society is holding a meeting for members and prospective members on Monday at 8 p.m. in the Uruapan Room of the Veteran’s Memorial Building, at Overland Avenue and Culver Boulevard in Culver City. On tap will be some vintage Ellington on video, presented by archivist Warren Taylor, and selections from “The Complete Johnny Hodges on Verve” (Mosaic). The meeting is free.

DJANGO ON THE AIR: Renowned Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt will be saluted on Doug Johnson’s “D-Tuning” show on KPPC-FM (89.3), Thursday at 8 p.m. Works featuring violinist Stephane Grappelli, a longtime Reinhardt associate, will also be heard. Information: (818) 578-7231.

SURVEYING JAZZ HISTORY: “Live Jazz in Los Angeles: Known and Unknown,” a class given through UCLA Extension by jazz historian Charles M. Weisenberg, gives jazz aficionados a chance to expand their knowledge of the art form. Recordings, lectures and live performances are part of the 10-week course, which begins Thursday (in UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall, Room 1439, 7 p.m.) and covers all styles from blues and Dixieland to bop and the avant-garde. Information: (213) 825-9064.

**** 1/2 “Stand-Up Guys” (Chase Music Group) finds a charged quintet led by ace vibist Charlie Shoemake, with guest saxman Harold Land, exploring uncommon standards, jazz classics and originals. “I Can’t Resist You,” a gleeful bossa, and “Out of the Blue,” a Miles Davis remake of “Get Happy,” reveal sparkling solos from the front line and pianist Randy Cannon, a young talent who won’t long be unknown. Singer Sandi Shoemake adds a glow with her caressingly slow version of “When Your Lover Has Gone.” Drummers Carl Burnett and Larance Marable and bassist Bob Maize and Andy Simpkins stoke the bop-bent fires.