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At The Heart of Music!
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John Tropea
- Male
- Valley Cottage, NY
- United States
John Tropea's Videos
Latest Activity
Nicole Hart commented on John Tropea's event Tropea Band at Pete's Saloon"Hi, John, thank you so much for the invite and would LOVE to be there. I am currently in South Florida, though I will be up North again May 12th through 18th. I'm sorry to miss you!
"
Tropea Band at Pete's Saloon at Pete's Saloon
May 4, 2012 at 10pm to May 5, 2012 at 10pm
Feturing: Tropea (Guitar), Chris Palmaro (B3), Clint de Ganon (Drums), Lou Marini (Sax), Zev Kats (Bass) and Tommy McDonnell (Vocals and Perc)2 Nights Friday May 4th and Saturday May 5thGreat Food!!See More
"Hope you can Make it! Great food.....funky band!
Tropes"
Profile Information
- How did you hear about our Music Community? If from a friend, please tell us who.
- Nikki Armstrong
- To better serve you, tell us about your music connection.
- Musician Instrumental, Producer, Song Writer, Recording Engineer
- What instrument(s) do you play? (you can select more than one)
- guitar
- What are your favorite Musical Genres?
- Pop, Blues, Jazz, Latin Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, Traditional, R&B / Soul, Rock, Big Band
- Your Website URL?
- http://www.johntropea.com
John Tropea's Page
John Tropea's Photos
About John...
Tropea began guitar studies at the age of 12. His musical education continued at Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he studied jazz guitar, harmony, composition, and big band arranging. Immediately after arriving in Boston, Tropea began playing live R & B and jazz gigs with many different bands in the area, including The Three Degrees. Influenced by Wes Montgomery, Johnny Smith, Louis Bonfa, Pat Martino, and George Benson, it was at this time that Tropea began to absorb those influences into an original style of his own. Also among his mentors at the time were the great B3 organ players Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith.
After Berklee, Tropea recorded and toured with Deodato. Moving to New York in 1967, Tropea quickly became one of the most sought after session players. He soon became a peer among New York’s finest studio musicians. As well as world touring, Tropea wrote and produced three critically acclaimed solo albums with TK records.
His first solo album “Tropea,” was released in 1975, followed by “Short Trip to Space,” and “To Touch You Again.” With those early recordings and other projects, Tropea formed close musical alliances with other great New York musicians including: David Spinozza, Warren Bernhardt, David Sanborn, Randy and Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Don Grolnick, and Richard Tee (Tropea played in The Richard Tee band).
At this time in my life now, it is my passion to continue to play with this format.” Tropea’s band plays live regularly these days and has produced two CDs, “Standard Influence,” and “Standard Influence II/Rock Candy,” both “must haves” in any CD collection. Made up of world-class players, this is no pick up band; this is a REAL band that plays with the refined sense of ensemble one finds in the finest string quartet or chamber music group. Made up of: Ronnie Cuber, baritone sax, Clint de Ganon, drums, or Steve Gadd, drums, Anthony Jackson, electric bass, Dave Mann, tenor sax, Lou Marini, tenor sax, and Chris Palmaro, Hammond B3; everyone in this band is a virtuoso, yet no one ever over-plays.
While the band has a refined sense of time and a compelling groove that makes it impossible to sit still while listening, the arrangements have, at the same time, a transparency that allows the listener in, where all the intricacies become apparent. The sound is always balanced. You hear what everyone is playing. The musicians in this band know how to use space in their playing. And while all the solo playing is creative, musical, and virtuosic, it is the rhythmic component, the sense of accent, the power of the ensemble playing that drives this group to astonishing heights of excitement. The comping, the back up playing, is as vital, as intricate, as interesting as the solo playing integrated with it. Here is a refined group of musicians whose playing complements one another, whose aim is the sound, the quality of the band as a whole. They achieve this goal to the highest degree.
The band plays jazz, R&B, and Funk standards, along with original compositions. But each tune is made up of an original, tightly constructed, and sophisticated arrangement. This quality is a delight for the listener and makes an audience eagerly look forward to the next tune and what wonderful surprises that next tune will bring. Don’t look for long solos, endless choruses from this band. That is not what they are about. There is no dross here. While the band demonstrates complete understanding and mastery of a variety of musical styles, they play entirely without cliché.
And this band knows how to program a set. Offering a wide dynamic balance, The Tropea Band plays with a savvy and wit that is appreciated by its audiences. Continually bringing new elements and surprises with each new tune, they know how to drive a set to an unbelievably energetic and satisfying conclusion.
With the respect he has gained from some of the finest musicians playing today, Tropea has been able to put together a group that shares his vision, that continues to re-define venerable traditions, and that makes music together that is of lasting beauty and significance. Tropea has once again gotten back to his live audience, as well as those who follow his recordings, and with this band, he has found his apotheosis.
T. McFaul,_Sept. 2005
tommcfaul.com
Comment Wall (7 comments)
- At 9:23am on March 7, 2011,
Jono Frola said… Hi Guy,
Long time. Hope all is well with you. Hope to see you soon. Jono
- At 8:58am on January 22, 2011,
Mel Davis said… hello JOHN MELVIN MEL DAVIS.ORGANIST VOCALS .LONGTIME HOPE YOUR ALRIGHT CALL MEIF YOU GET A MINUTE 973 851 8995 OK?GOOD SEEING YOU ON THE NETWORK.
- At 12:39pm on May 8, 2010,
angelrose said… - Hey John
Thanks for a great show last nite @ Pete's. Hope I will get a chance to sit in next time. Glad you liked my video.
angel rose
- At 5:24am on January 17, 2010,
Ron Laor said… - Thanks a Lot for responding
john and All da VeryBest :)
(hope 2 B closer there sometime in the future..)
Ron
- At 7:33pm on November 19, 2009,
Mike Stokes said… - Hey John,
Thank you for your generous donation. Your gift shows that you recognize providing a home like this can be expensive. Community members like you make it possible for me to continue to support the music & working musicians here. Your commitment to helping keep the music alive in our community is sincerely appreciated. Call me when you are at your PC so we can work on the task we discussed. -- Mike
- At 4:10pm on August 7, 2009,
jean chardavoine said… - hey man you've influenced me to be a musician today
- At 9:40am on May 26, 2009,
Russ Spiegel said…
- Hey John,
Thanks for the shout out. Yeah, we're both working with Janet over at Redwood and I also just did an interview on ArtistFirst.com. Hope to meet up with you soon.
Russ
www.russguitar.com
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