Piano man debuts in Sisters

Sisters Coffee Company last Saturday afternoon provided the first venue in Sisters for Bend musician Greg "Coop" Cooperman.

Cooperman's music combines the elements of Ragtime and classic honky tonk with a hint of vintage blues to provide an exciting sound experience that seems to have originated nearly a century ago.

Cooperman writes much of his own music, although he does play older and forgotten tunes, as well as common melodies that have the same chords and order but with very different timing that somehow becomes something very different. He debuted his set with a piece that was based upon "O, Little Town of Bethlehem" and the familiar tune emerged from his magic with a sound that was reminiscent of Scott Joplin.

Cooperman has been involved in music for much of his life, but he has walked a private path to his career.

"My mom really wanted me to get into music and started me on piano lessons. They only lasted a few weeks, and I dropped out. Then a little later, she tried to get me interested in an accordion, and so I dragged one around for a few weeks until I gave that up," he said.

However, the experiences he gleaned from the lessons stayed with him and made their mark, and as he matured music found a fertile field in Cooperman's heart.

"I am a little weak on the theory and wish that I would have taken more lessons, but it really hasn't slowed me down very much. I seem to be able to envision the music in my mind and then bring it to life," he said.

After a burst of pure virtuoso piano, Cooperman reflected: "I don't really consider myself a solo performer. I like to play in jam sessions with other musicians. I hope that someday they may have something like that here (at Sisters Coffee Company) where several musicians can come together and each can play or join in or just sit on the sidelines. We could build off each other."