Tom Coppola, 78, a pianist and arranger, died on Dec. 29, 2023. Mr. Coppola’s brother George reported the death to the NYC musicians’ union Local 802, where Mr. Coppola had been a member since 1973. George reported heart failure as the cause of his brother’s passing.

Mr. Coppola began working as a musician in Manhattan in the 1960s, where he met his future wife Carolyn Brooks (later known as Googie Coppola). The two became musical collaborators, co-founded the group Air, and played together with Herbie Mann, Lenny White, Flora Purim, Ray Barretto, Jeremy Steig and others.

In his long and fruitful musical life, Mr. Coppola collaborated with many top stars, including Paul Simon, Herbie Mann, Sheridan Lee, Marvin Gaye, Brook Benton, Cissy Houston, the Average White Band, Patti LuPone, Orchestra Harlow, Tito Puente, the Tommy Dorsey Band, Otis Blackwell, Chet Baker, Marcus Miller, David “Fathead” Newman, Dave Valentin, Jeff Berlin, Manolo Badrena, Carlos “Patato” Valdes, Tony Levin, Mark Egan, Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Dave Bargeron, Leon Pendarvis, Steve Turre, Jon Faddis, Kenny Kirkland, Dave Taylor, Chris Parker, Will Lee, Paulinho da Costa, Ernie Watts, Bernard Purdie, Anthony Jackson, Cornell Dupree, Paul Jackson Jr, Manhattan Transfer, Bill Withers and Lucianne Evans. He also led his own trio.

Mr. Coppola’s career was extremely eclectic. He was a member of the Broadway orchestra of “Dreamgirls.” He was a Synclavier consultant for New England Digital. He was a writer-performer on CBS TV’s “As the World Turns,” with Rob Mounsey and Will Lee; one of his original tunes (“House of Cards”) was featured on the show. He recorded jingles, including the original synthesizer sound for the very end of the Duracell “Coppertop” commercials. He had extensive credits in producing and arranging. He arranged a book of jazz standards for piano that was published by Hal Leonard. He played on Chic’s self-titled 1977 album and Paul Simon’s “Hearts and Bones.”

From 1984 to 1990, Mr. Coppola recorded, wrote, arranged and produced music for “Saturday Night Live.” In 1991, Mr. Coppola earned a master’s degree in jazz studies from the University of Southern California. He later moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where he taught in the music department at the University of North Carolina. Since 2014, Mr. Coppola had been living in Hartsdale, New York.

In addition to being a member of Local 802, Mr. Coppola was a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators, ASCAP and NARAS. Mr. Coppola won Billboard’s jazz achievement award for his compositions “Media Giant” and “Beach Bird.”

Sources:

• Wikipedia entry for Tom Coppola
• Pender’s Music Company
• Favorite Recordings
• All About Jazz
• Allegro interview with George Coppola