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John Tropea

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John Tropea
Tropea performing with The Blues Brothers in 2008
Tropea performing with The Blues Brothers in 2008
Background information
Born (1946-01-07) January 7, 1946 (age 78)
New York City, U.S.
GenresPop, funk, smooth jazz, soul jazz
OccupationMusician
InstrumentGuitar
LabelsVideo Arts, DMP
Websitewww.johntropea.com

John Tropea (pronounced 'tro-pay'; born January 7, 1946) is an American jazz guitarist and composer.[1][2][3]

Career

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Tropea began guitar studies at the age of 12. His musical education continued at Berklee College of Music[3] in Boston, where he studied jazz guitar, harmony, musical composition, and big band arranging. After arriving in Boston, Tropea began playing jazz and R&B with local bands, including The Three Degrees. He was influenced by Wes Montgomery, Johnny Smith, Luiz Bonfá, Pat Martino, and George Benson. Among his mentors were Hammond B3 organ players Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith.

After Berklee, Tropea recorded and toured with Eumir Deodato. Moving to New York City in 1967, he became one of the most sought after session players. In 1974, he played on Van Morrison's "Bulbs" and "Cul de Sac" included on the album Veedon Fleece and issued as the single. Tropea wrote and produced three critically acclaimed solo albums for 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 leading New York musicians such as Warren Bernhardt, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Steve Gadd, Don Grolnick, Anthony Jackson, David Sanborn, David Spinozza, and Richard Tee.

Dan Schafer 1977 Tortoise International/RCA 45 single

He played guitar on "Baby Now That I've Found You" recorded by Dan Schafer on Tortoise International Records, an RCA Records subsidiary released in 1977. In March 2012, this version was included on the compilation album, Perhaps...The Very Best of Dan Schafer. He has played with Billy Cobham, Eumir Deodato, Laura Nyro, Harry Chapin, Paul Simon,[3] Eric Clapton, and Dr. John.[3] Tropea has written and arranged music for film and broadcast advertising. With his frequent co-producer and friend Will Lee,[3] he released Simple Way to Say 'I Love You' , and Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blues, live performances by The Tropea Band at Mikell's in New York City. He composed the song "Tambourine",[4] which was used as the close for WABC's Eyewitness News broadcasts from 1977 to 1980.

Discography

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Solo

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  • Tropea (Marlin, 1975)
  • Short Trip to Space (Marlin, 1977)
  • To Touch You Again (Marlin, 1979)
  • Live at Mikell's (Video Arts, 1982)[1]
  • NYC Cats Direct (DMP 1986)
  • A Simple Way to Say I Love You (Video Arts, 1997)[1]
  • Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blues (Video Arts, 1999)
  • Standard Influence (Video Arts, 2003)
  • Standard Influence II: Rock Candy (Video Arts, 2005)
  • Tropea 10: The Time Is Right (Video Arts, 2007)[1]
  • Take Me Back to the Ol' School (STP, 2007)[1]
  • Gotcha Rhythm Right Here (STP, 2014)[1][2][3][5]

Guest appearances

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Lynam, Robin (13 June 2015). "Guitarist John Tropea and friends keep the jazz-funk flame burning". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b Jazz, All About (June 20, 2015). "John Tropea: Gotcha Rhythm Right Here". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Amendola, Billy. "A Different View - John Tropea". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  4. ^ "Tambourine". SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews. June 2, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  5. ^ "John Tropea returns to jazz-funk namesake in 'Gotcha Rhythm Right Here'". AXS. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
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