John Tropea

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John Tropea

Background information
Genre(s) jazz, rock, pop
Occupation(s) Guitarist, writer, arranger, producer
Label(s) Video Arts Music, Digital Music Productions
Website www.JohnTropea.com

John Tropea is a guitarist with extensive experience in the rock, pop, and jazz genres. Tropea has written for and played with major recording artists from around the world. In his long career, his contributions to other artist’s successes have been numerous, including his solo work with Eumir Deodato, (2001 theme), projects with Laura Nyro, Harry Chapin (Cat’s in the Cradle), Paul Simon (Fifty Ways), Eric Clapton (Journey Man), Dr. John, and many others.

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[edit] Career

Tropea began guitar studies at the age of 12. His musical education continued at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied jazz guitar, harmony, Musical 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 Hammond B3 Organ players Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith.

After Berklee, Tropea recorded and toured with Eumir 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. In 1974, he played on Van Morrison's "Bulbs" and "Cul de Sac" included on the album, Veedon Fleece and issued as the single. 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 Brecker, Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Don Grolnick, and Richard Tee.

Tropea has written and arranged music for film and broadcast advertising. With his frequent co-producer and friend Will Lee, Tropea released “Simple Way to say ‘I Love You,’ and “Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blues” Live gigs from that era by The Tropea Band at Mikell’s, in New York City, remain legendary. He also composed the song "Tambourine", which was used as the close for WABC's Eyewitness News broadcasts from 1977 to 1980. Along with his own projects, Tropea currently plays with the Original Blues Brothers Band.

[edit] Selected Discography

[edit] Solo Artist

[edit] Guest appearances

[edit] External links