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.
Message from Eric
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?
Wishing everyone success and dedication to their passions.
Best Wishes,
Eric
EricKoppa.com was last updated on September 2nd, 2010.
Contact
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