Welcome to the website of Chicago saxophonist Eric Koppa.

 

Eric’s latest jazz project, Evolution, has released its first album, "The Calling." To hear sound clips or order a copy, please click here.

 

More about Eric...

Message from Eric

The One and Only, Clyde Stubblefield:

(9/23/11)... This past year has been one of major change in my life. I've had the opportunity to play almost 5 nights a week in and around Madison, WI and am truly loving the experience. Though I trek to Chicago about once a month, it's been hard saying no to offers to perform in the great state of Wisconsin. Many of you may be wondering: "Why Madison, WI?" Well, I suppose one of the best reasons is Clyde Stubblefield. Hearing him perform 3 years ago for the first time proved to me that in a town of 208,000 people, there was major musical talent to be heard. Another longtime music hero, Roscoe Mitchell, also calls Madison home, not to mention, bassist Richard Davis at the U.W., pianist David Stoler, and the list goes on. Little did I know, that after 25 years hosting 'Funky Mondays,' Clyde Stubblefield would be ready to pass the baton to his nephew Bret Stubblefield, who had watched his uncle drum since he could remember. Since then, Clyde has been on the road with Chuck D from Public Enemy, on Jimmy Fallon's show playing with The Roots, and continues to tour with Michael Feldman's "What Do You Know" on NPR. He stays busy, but not as much playing weekly in Madison. He does make the occasional cameo appearance on Monday nights, but never again will he host. This video is from a performance last December for a WORT radio station benefit concert. From time-to-time Clyde would sing. Here he is singing 'Georgia On My Mind.' Here's a link to the Public Enemy website with a video of Clyde's performance with 'The Copyright Criminals' on Jimmy Fallon in April 2011.

(11/11/10) The Prohibition Orchestra was in the studio recently. We recorded at Chicago's Delmark studios with engineer Steve Wagner finding time to shoot some video during a take of Jimmie Lunceford's theme song, "Jazznocracy". (1934)

What I "LOVE" about Clyde Stubblefield:

(09/02/10) - This past year, I've had the pleasure of playing with the "Original Funky Drummer," Clyde Stubblefield, and his amazing band every Monday at the Frequency in Madison, WI. The first time I heard the band was over 2 years ago, and I was completely blown away. In fact, I was so impressed, that I saw it necessary to not miss a Monday night if I could help it for the foreseeable future. Well, after a number of Mondays I was encouraged to sit in with the band. What a blast it was playing with this great band! The horn section was made up of 3 very fine players, one of whom, I've known for the last 16 years. I met Bryan Husk while attending Western Michigan. We became fast friends, spent a lot of time playing and transcribing music, and formed a few bands to work with around town. Bryan has lived in Madison for the last 9 years, and was the catalyst for my continued visits to Madison. He has played with Clyde the last 7 years and is the "tenor man" in the band, playing solos reminiscent of Lenny Pickett and Pee Wee Ellis. Pete Ross plays alto, a graduate of the University of Michigan, and a former member of the Glenn Miller band, and also roomed in Ann Arbor, MI with one of my best friends, guitarist Laith Al-Saadi. So, although we had never met before, we had a lot in common and became fast friends. Chad Whittinghill plays solid lead trumpet, and is also a member of the Jimmys, a fantastic R&B band in Madison. It wasn't long before I felt right at home with this great horn section, who were so well established and a breeze to play with. After a few weeks, much to my delight, Clyde asked me to play with the band full-time. I've never looked back, and consider each and every Monday night a true blessing. I play bari sax in the band, and am loving it. Lately, we've been graced by trombonist Darren Sterud, when he's not touring the world with Davina and the Vagabonds, and jazz trombonist Joel Adams also sits in from time-to-time. Clyde has the uncanny ability to always sound fresh and original, and has the most solid "pocket" I have ever heard. It has been one of the best musical experiences of my life playing with Clyde Stubblefield, and hope you can make it to the Frequency in Madison, WI on a Monday night for a truly magical and memorable night out! Here's a video clip with Clyde talking about working with James Brown. 

 The Making of a Movie - Public Enemies, Starring Johnny Depp & Christian Bale:

(07/08/09) - Last Spring, I had a unique opportunity to take part in the filming of a major motion picture. The Michael Mann directed film, Public Enemies was filmed in Chicago, IL, all over Wisconsin, and even in Indiana, John Dillinger's home state. Strangely enough, I played a saxophonist in the band at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. As many of you know, the famous Aragon Ballroom was host to some of the greatest bands of all times, dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. The theater was transformed to the way it looked in the early 1930s, complete with dining, dancing, and of course mingling. To shoot the scenes at the Aragon Ballroom, we were dressed in period tuxes, all wool, from London, England, and were donned with time pieces, rings, Gardenia lapel flowers (which were freshened or replaced throughout the two days), and period instruments, beautifully restored to mint condition. Now the strange part for many of us was the rehearsal prior to the shoot with the music to be played during the shoot. Well, the long-and-short of it is...we never played a single note of music on film. Evidently, the Music Union contract specified if indeed our music was captured on film for any duration, our royalty payments would have continued to compound with every film preview, DVD sale, Soundtrack sale, etc. So, we 'Pantomimed' our performance in convincing fashion for all to see, but for none to hear. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I enjoyed meeting Johnny Depp, spending time with all the great musicians in the band, and being mesmerized by Diana Krall, a tremendous talent, and elegant lady. Lastly, I enjoyed the first viewing of the movie on July 3rd, in Hayward, WI, near the famous 'Little Bohemia' in Manitowish Waters, WI with my Grandparents, on my Grandfathers 78th Birthday. That was truly a memory to savor for the rest of my days. (And as luck would have it, I made the cut and can be seen on a pull-away shot from the Aragon Ballroom scene! -- 1:08 in the above trailer) Hope many of you can enjoy the movie in the theater soon. It is one of the first films shot in HD Digital and is crystal clear. -- Can you tell? 

(06/01/09) - For many, dancing is a necessary part of life, and comes to them as easy as walking or talking. Dance is a true visualization of the sound of music. -- For those of you who appreciate dance in all of it's many forms, tune into "So You Think You Can Dance" on the Fox network, Wednesday and Thursday nights at 7:00pm Central for some of our country's rising stars. -- And for those of you who enjoy nostalgia, check out Fred Astaire & Eleanor Powell in 'Broadway Melody' from 1940. Wow, these two can dance! 

(12/01/08) - I enjoyed taking part in Barack Obama Election Night excitement at Grant Park in Chicago, IL on November 4th, 2008; a night that changed our country forever. Please enjoy a clip of our 'Pick-up' 2nd-Line jazz band making our way all the way to President Barack Obama's  victory speech. 

Wishing everyone success and dedication to their passions.

Best Wishes,

Eric

EricKoppa.com was last updated on September 2nd, 2010.

 

Contact
To book Eric or any of his bands, please drop him an e-mail. He will be happy to hear from you.

© 2003 - 2010 Eric Koppa. All rights reserved. Site design by Showtimedia.