HOOPER, LOU, 1894-1977
MUS 122
Lou Hooper fonds. - 1917-1977. - 1 m of textual records. - 83 photographs.
Biographical sketch
Born in Ontario, Lou Hooper studied piano at the Detroit Conservatory (1911-21) and Columbia University (1923-24). He performed in the United States and Canada with dance bands and jazz groups such as Myron Sutton's Canadian Ambassadors and the Three Monkey Chasers. This pianist also accompanied numerous jazz artists such as Billie Holiday, Johnny Dunn, Louis Metcalf, Ethel Waters, Ma Rainey and Paul Robeson. Settling in Montréal, Quebec in 1935, he founded and conducted the Hooper Southern Singers Male Choir. He composed an opera (Ruth) and numerous ragtime pieces (The Cakewalk, Black Cat Blues, South Sea Strut). From 1936 to 1939 he taught piano to Oscar Peterson. In 1975 he became a professor of music at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Scope and content
The fonds comprises records illustrating the musical career of Lou Hooper: autobiography; thesis; arrangements and compositions, including the oratorio Ruth; correspondence; press clippings; concert programmes; posters; photographs of Lou Hooper and musical personalities.
Immediate source of acquisition: acquired from Mrs. Lou Hooper in 1980.
Restrictions: none.
Finding aids: none.
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