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Just who is Ian Cooper?
"a violinist of Olympic Proportions"
Ian Cooper is Australia's most exciting virtuoso violinist. Since his debut at the Sydney Opera House at age six, he has become a regular attraction at many concert venues and festivals throughout Australia, Europe, Japan and New Zealand. His humorous show draws on many musical styles from The Classics, Jazz, Gypsy, Latin, Irish, the Blues, and even a touch of Cowboy music.
Cooper's performance of his composition "Tin Symphony" was premiered at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games - 2000.
Born into a family of classical musicians Ian began playing the violin at the age of four. He was his mother's first pupil. He began competing in Eisteddfods soon after and Ian's live television debut was at age 5 where he performed the Seitz violin concerto. He began his world travels at age six, and wowed audiences as a child star in the U.S.A. and Canada, and in following years performed in Britain, Europe and in Japan for NHK television. At age 12 he performed with the Vienna Boys Choir in their home town.
At age eight Ian was awarded a scholarship by the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music and continued his training there for the next ten years. During this time Ian also studied the drums and played in numerous high-school thrash rock bands.
After meeting French violinist Stephane Grappelli Ian swung his attention towards Jazz music and his fiery approach to the Devil's Instrument would become reminiscent of the music of the Hot Club of France. Today Cooper continues to perform classical concerts as a soloist with orchestras, and is equally at home playing Jazz concerts. He is a regular guest artist of Australia's most well known Jazz man, trumpeter James Morrison, and has appeared at home and abroad with international artists including George Benson, Neil Sedaka, Max Bygraves, Andrea Bocelli, David Helfgott and Barry White.
Ian is a Warner Music recording artist and has released 7 CDs, his latest being "Ian Cooper Big Band". He has been awarded numerous Australian live performance awards including 2 MO Awards, 2 ACE Awards, 3 Australian Country Music Golden Fiddle Awards and a double platinum "ARIA" award for his Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony composition, "Tin Symphony". Ian also composes soundtracks for the Discovery Channel and is a keen pilot.
Pictured below, Ian presents a tribute to Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt's "Hot Club de France."
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