Charles Cooper
Chop / TXOP

Saxophonist / emcee

Charles Cooper “Chop” is a native of Columbus, Ohio and has also resided in the California Bay area for over a decade. While growing up in Ohio he was exposed to countless opportunities to learn, grow as an artist, and perform with some of his most influential mentors such as Eugene “King Sax” Walker (Saxophonist), Bobby Floyd (Pianist), Hank Marr (Organist), Foley (Lead Bassist), Eddie Bayard (Saxophonist), Pharez Whitted (Trumpeter) and Rusty Bryant (saxophonist), to name a few. During his high school years, Chop began developing a quartet which encompassed his style of Hip Hop and Traditional Jazz. His mix of these two genres led to recording ventures, local and regional performances, national tours, and his first travels abroad for Jazz and Hip Hop performances. Following his undergraduate studies at The Ohio State University, Cooper began teaching English and Literature in his hometown while balancing his passion for music. However, after an extensive European tour with The Ohio State University Jazz Ensemble and a Germany tour with a Jazz-Hop group called The Liquid Crystal Project, Chop relocated to San Francisco, California and joined with a Hip Hop group from Ohio called “Greans”.

During his residency in the Bay area, Chop began teaching in the public school system and worked as a youth mentor for various organizations, which provided a natural balance to his growth as an artist. As time quickly passed, Chop had developed various collaborative relationships, recorded, and toured with many Bay area artists such as Hieroglyphics Imperuim, Kev Choice (pianist), J-Boogie and Dubtronic Science, Lunar Heights, and his self titled band- Charles Cooper quartet. As a solo artist, Chop performed on his sax for weddings and private events, and hosted events at night clubs as an MC. Cooper eventually travelled all over the world to perform including China, Singapore, most of Europe, and India. He has currently settled in the Basque region of Spain, where he is collaborating with artists from Senegal, Romania, Cuba, and Basque Country. During his residency in Basque Country, Chop has performed throughout most of Spain, recorded on several published works, featured in national print, and has appeared on television for various programs. His music is primarily shaped by the culmination of experiences in his travels, childhood passions for Soul and Jazz, and his family.