Fred Trio Knapp Music Of Cole Porter CD

The Fred Knapp Trio is a tight, swingin' ensemble from Michigan that brings with it a wide palette of grooves from around the world. Primarily drawing from their love of swing from the classic jazz trios led by Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, Ray Brown, and Monty Alexander, they also add the influence of modern latin jazz trios led by Danilo Perez, and Michel Camilo. Grand Rapids, Michigan based drummer, singer, composer, and educator, Fred Knapp keeps a busy schedule performing all over Michigan with his trio, co-led group Groove Merchant, and has been a regular member of the jazz quintet, Evidence, since 2000. Fred also works with blues artist, Junior Valentine and the All-stars, and is a member of the 20 piece, Beltline Big Band. Fred also teaches private drum set and piano lessons out of his home studio. Fred has performed and /or recorded with Xavier Davis, Rodney Whitaker, Conrad Herwig, Randy Johnston, Paul Keller, Sunny Wilkinson, Tad Weed, Tom Knific, Trent Kynaston, Shawn “Thunder” Wallace, Kerry Strayer, Jim Cooper, and a who's who of local musicians. Fred is a graduate of Western Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of the Arts degree with a major in music and minor in sociology. He studied classical and jazz piano with Steve Zegree and drumset with the legendary Billy Hart. In 1997 Fred was given the opportunity to study with Diana Krall when she was on tour in West Michigan. Diana shared her time generously, teaching about her favorite recordings and how to go about transcribing this great music. Fred is influenced most by jazz greats: Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb, and Ed Thigpen along with Modern traditionalists Lewis Nash and Kenny Washington. He is happily married and just celebrated the birth of his first child, a baby boy named Jaden. Dave Rosin is very active as an educator and professional musician. He is currently teaching 7-12 grade orchestra in the Waverly Community Schools, in Lansing, Michigan, and he is the co-conductor of the Mid-Michigan Youth Orchestra. David holds both a BA and a MA in Music Education from Michigan State University. David has also performed and taught as a faculty member at SUNY Oswego State University in New York. When he is not teaching, David keeps busy working as a freelance double bassist. He has performed all over the Mid-West and in Australia. In 1997, he toured Australia with the Andrew Speight quartet. On the jazz scene, David has performed concerts with many top jazz artists including; Wycliff Gordon, Barry Harris, Bobby Watson, Charles Mcpherson, Wes Anderson, Victor Goins, Claudio Roditi, Greg Abate, Kareem Riggins, Gerald Cleaver, Ali Jackson, and Arron Goldberg. He performs with Michigan jazz greats including Marcus Belgrave, Tad Weed, Gary Schunk, Louis Smith, Rick Roe, Terry Lower, Donald Walden, Rob Smith, and Randy Gelispie. Furthermore, he has studied with Dan Pliskow, Peter Dominguez, Rodney Whitaker, Ralph Armstrong, Jack Budrow, Tom Kinific, Gary Schunk, Andrew Speight, and Branford Marsalis. In 1995, David was a finalist in the International Society of Bassists (ISB) jazz competition. David can be heard on the following recordings: Andrew Speight's Australian release 'Andrew Speight Quartet;' the U.S. release 'Speight', Ray Kamalays “Meet Me Where They Play the Blues.” David currently resides in East Lansing, Michigan. David Proulx is a graduate of Western Michigan University’s School of Music, with performance degrees in classical and jazz piano. David is strongly influenced in his playing from piano greats Oscar Peterson, Benny Green, and Monty Alexander. He is also influenced by his older brother, John Proulx. John is a professional jazz pianist, composer, and vocalist who lives in L.A. and just released his CD “Moon and Sand” on the popular Max Jazz label. David’s abilities extend into other areas, as he is the music pastor at First Wesleyan Church in Battle Creek, MI and has production and writing skills as well. He