R.I.P: Alan Cooper

The British clarinetist Alan Cooper died August 22nd at the age of 76. Cooper had already played jazz in college together with one of his schoolmates, the guitarist Diz Disley. He was influenced by New Orleans clarinetists such as Johnny Dodds and Edmond Hall. Later he was among the original members of the band Temperance Seven which was very successful in the early 60s. The band often performed dressed in Edwardian costumes, and Cooper was a collector of Edwardiana in private life as well. He left instructions that his funeral was to be attended in Edwardian dress. Obituaries: The Times , BBC News .