Lindsay Cooper

Lindsay Cooper (born 3 March 1951) is an English bassoon and oboe player, composer and political activist. Best known for her work with the band Henry Cow, she was also a member of Comus, National Health, News from Babel and David Thomas and the Pedestrians. She has collaborated with a number of musicians, including Chris Cutler and Sally Potter, and co-founded the Feminist Improvising Group. She has written scores for film and TV and a song cycle Oh Moscow which was performed live around the world in 1987. She has also recorded a number of solo albums, including Rags (1980), The Gold Diggers (1983) and Music For Other Occasions (1986).

Cooper was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1991, but did not disclose it to the musical community until 1998 when her illness prevented her from performing live. Sadly she passed away on the 18th September 2013. Next month, three concerts have been organised as a tribute to her music. They will feature Henry Cow, News from Babel, the occasional group Music for Films plus a performance of Oh Moscow. The concerts will be held in London, Huddersfield (UK) and Forli (Italy).