Charlie Loper was born on June 22, 1949, in Hermosa Beach, California. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the trumpet and his mother playing the piano. Loper started playing the trombone at the age of 10 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Loper attended the University of Southern California, where he studied under the renowned trombonist Ralph Sauer. He graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Music degree in trombone performance. After graduation, Loper began his professional career as a freelance musician, playing in various orchestras and ensembles in the Los Angeles area. In 1973, Loper joined the Buddy Rich Big Band, one of the most famous jazz bands of the time. He played with the band for four years, touring extensively and recording several albums. Loper's virtuosic trombone playing quickly made him a standout in the band, and he became known for his powerful solos and improvisations. After leaving the Buddy Rich Big Band, Loper continued to work as a freelance musician, playing with a wide variety of artists and ensembles. He played on numerous film and television soundtracks, including the theme music for the hit TV show "Cheers." He also played on albums by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Michael Jackson. In addition to his work as a studio musician, Loper was also a sought-after performer in the classical music world. He played with many of the top orchestras in the United States, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was also a member of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for many years. Loper's talent and hard work were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1980, he was awarded the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of Southern California. In 1992, he was awarded the Outstanding Brass Player Award from the International Association of Jazz Educators. He was also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and he served on the board of directors for the International Trombone Association. One of the highlights of Loper's career was his performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He was chosen to play the trombone solo in John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme," which was performed at the opening ceremony of the games. The performance was seen by millions of people around the world and cemented Loper's reputation as one of the top trombonists in the world. Loper continued to perform and record throughout the 1990s and 2000s, despite suffering from health problems. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the early 1990s, but he continued to play and record despite the challenges posed by the disease. He also suffered from a heart attack in 2005, but he recovered and continued to play until his retirement in 2012. Charlie Loper passed away on March 21, 2016, at the age of 66. He was remembered by his colleagues and fans as a talented and dedicated musician who had a profound impact on the world of classical and jazz music. His legacy lives on through his recordings and performances, which continue to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.

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