Biography
The Jazz Defenders are a UK-based jazz band founded and led by acclaimed pianist and composer George Cooper, hailing from the south west of England. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of Blue Note Records in the early 1960s, the group channels the spirit of artists like Horace Silver, Art Blakey, and Lee Morgan through original compositions that blend soul jazz, hip hop, funk, and cinematic influences. Their sound features irresistible grooves, razor-sharp horn lines, and a joyful sense of swing, creating gritty, groovy music suited for both dance floors and listening rooms.
Formed by Cooper, who brings a rich resume from collaborations across genres, the band has built a reputation for electrifying live performances at venues like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and across Europe. They have released several albums, including Scheming (2019), The Big Man (2021), Perfectly Imperfect (2022), King Phoenix (2022), and Memory in Motion (2024 on Haggis Records), with two reaching the top ten in the USA jazz charts. Supported by radio hosts like Jamie Cullum, Lauren Laverne, and Craig Charles, they continue to tour extensively in the UK and internationally.
The band's lineup has evolved slightly over time, consistently featuring George Cooper on piano/keyboards, Will Harris on double/electric bass, and Ian Matthews on drums, with rotating horn players such as Jake McMurchie or Dan Newberry on tenor sax and Quentin Collins or Nick Malcolm on trumpet. Their music honors jazz tradition while pushing contemporary boundaries, earning praise as one of the UK's most exciting jazz groups.
Fun Facts
- Two albums by The Jazz Defenders have reached the top ten in the USA jazz charts, despite being a UK-based group.
- George Cooper once crowd-surfed at a Muse concert at age 15 in Exeter to access the bar and toilets during their homecoming world tour gig.
- The band shares their record label, Haggis Records, with projects like The Haggis Horns, where Cooper also performs.
- They blend Blue Note jazz with hip hop and funk, earning descriptions like 'warlords of Britain's soul jazz' from Mallorca Music Magazine.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Horace Silver - stylistic influence from Blue Note golden era (homage in albums like Scheming and Memory in Motion) [1960s influence, ongoing]
- Art Blakey - stylistic influence from Blue Note golden era (overall band sound) [1960s influence, ongoing]
- Lee Morgan - stylistic influence from Blue Note golden era (overall band sound) [1960s influence, ongoing]
- Oscar Peterson - piano influence on George Cooper (personal inspiration) [teenage years, ongoing]
Key Collaborators
- Will Harris - core band member on double/electric bass (all albums including Scheming, Memory in Motion) [band formation to present]
- Ian Matthews - core band member on drums (all albums including Scheming, Memory in Motion) [band formation to present]
- Quentin Collins - frequent trumpet player (recent albums and tours) [ongoing]
- Jake McMurchie - tenor sax player (current lineup) [ongoing]
- Hans Zimmer - George Cooper's prior collaboration (recording sessions) [pre-band]
- The Haggis Horns - George Cooper plays keyboards (ongoing project) [current]
- Abstract Orchestra - George Cooper plays keyboards (ongoing project) [current]
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
The Jazz Defenders has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.