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Geoff Clapp has been performing, touring and recording as a drummer since the age of 12. He grew up playing in the church and still loves to play and grow as an artist. With a very unique and wide palette of musical styles, Geoff is equally comfortable laying down a groove with a Sunday morning worship team as he is on stage with his jazz contemporaries.
"A truly gifted artist!" - Wynton Marsalis
Voted Best Jazz Drummer by New Orleans Magazine, 2008
Geoff is proudly endorsed by:
Bosphorus Cymbals
Vic Firth
Mono Cases
AXIS Percussion
Geoff has performed, toured and recorded with:
Peter Martin, Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis Trio/Quartet, Jason Marsalis Quartet (Jason on Vibes), Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Nicholas Payton, Mark Turner, Kermit Ruffins, Charlie Hunter Trio/Quintet, Christian McBride, Reuben Rogers, Robert Glasper, Dianne Reeves, Benny Green, Eric Reed Quintet, Victor Atkins Trio, Ron Blake, Jeremy Davenport Quartet, Wycliffe Gordon, Victor Goines, Germaine Bazzle, Harold Battiste, Alvin Battiste, Alvin Red Tyler, Jim Singleton, Dr. Michael White, Danny Barker, George Porter Jr., Walter "Wolfman" Washington, Wayne Escoffrey, Johnaye Kendrick, Steve Masakowski, John Chin Trio, Danilo Perez, John Ellis, Reginald Veal, John Benitez, Theressa Anderson, Chris Thomas, Sam Yahel, Ben Wolfe, Peter Bernstein, Geoff Keezer, Oscar Perez, Tyronne Jackson Quintet, Charmaine Neville, Charles Neville, Robert Comeaux Phoenix Bach Choir/Phoenix Grammar Winner, Louque, Picnic
Teaching:
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Private Instructor, 2007 to present
Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
Private Instructor, Fall of 2007 to present
Geoff teaches an average of eight students per semester drum set basics, and advanced techniques and conceptual playing. We cover Hip Hop , Reggae, Funk, New Orleans Funk and Second-Line Drumming, Jazz and Classical Snare Drum.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, New Orleans, LA
Percusion/Drum instructor
Craig Elementary School
After school program in general musicianship, basic theory, and percussion class.
Don Jamison School of Music, New Orleans, LA
Percusion/Drum Instructor, Sept 2007-2009
Along with Jesse McBride, Ed Anderson, Brent Rose, and David Pulphus, Geoff teaches Jazz Improvisation, Basic Blues Scales and Jazz Harmony. Students from ages 8-17 get a chance to study and perform the music of Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, Hank Mobley, Ellis Marsalis and Clifford Brown. The kids also perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and French Quarter Festival.
Ben Franklin High School, Louis Armstrong School of Music, New Orleans, LA
Percusion/Drum Instructor, Spring of 2009 coming Fall of 2009 and Spring of 2010
Geoff taught Jazz Theory and Blues Scales, Harmony and Basic Piano. Students also approach improvisation over the Blues and Rhythm Changes. This coming year they will be delving into early works of John Coltrane, including Gant Steps and Blue Trane.
JAZZ @LINOLN CENTER EDUCATION: Hired along with Wynton Marsalis for two days of Jazz Education at the Apollo theater in Harlem for inner city school children. Students were introduced to America's own classical music, Jazz, and give examples of its historical lineage. Each musician gives a brief example of how, what and why he or she plays and explains what their role is in the band. In addition to Jazz education, dedication and discipline are addressed quite a bit on how and why they play a key role in success. Three weeks were spent in 29 different schools of all grades involving all five boroughs, picked by J@LC performing and teaching Jazz fundamentals. All artists involved either have been in or are still with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Geoff’s Education:
North Carolina School of the Arts
Studied Jazz and Classical Percussion from 1987-1989. Received full scholarship to attend this prestigious arts high school. Teachers included Massie Johnson, Dr. Ron Rudkin
Graduated with honors.
University of New Orleans
Completed three years of undergraduate work in Jazz Studies from 1989-1993. Studied Jazz Performance and Music Theory on scholarship under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis, Victor Goines, Harold Battiste, and drum instructor David Lee.
Was invited on partial Scholarship. |
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