Cooper-Moore (born Gene Y. Ashton, August 31, 1946, Loudoun County, Virginia) is an American jazz pianist, composer and instrument builder/designer based in New York City. At age 8, he was recruited by community leaders to be the piano player for the town, and soon thereafter performed at church services and community functions. When he was 12 years old, he heard musicians such as Ahmad Jamal and Charles Mingus, and was inspired to pursue jazz.