Bobby Kapp has made jazz a way of his life. Bobby Kapp began singing at his Grandmother’s piano when he was three years old. He then surprised his father by singing in the buses that they were traveling in. He sang in the mixed chorus during high school and began to play drums and sing jazz. He studied percussion at Berklee School of Music and then moved to New York, where he became involved in avant-garde “new music” of the sixties. He has recorded some classics of that era, including “Three For Shepp”, with Marion Brown (Impulse), “Live at Judson Hall”, with Noah Howard (ESP), “In Search of a Mystery,” Gato Barbieri’s first recording (ESP), “Dave Burrell High” (ESP), and “Dave Burrell High” (with pianist Dave Burrell). Other great drummers he has worked with are Dexter Gordon (master) and Pharoah Bernie (masters) Bobby was selected to sing in “Jazz in Jul” at the University of Massachusetts in 1993 with Sheila Jordan, Nnenna Freedomlon and others. He was a semi finalist in 1998 in Thelonious Monk International Vocalist Competition. In 1999, he performed at the San Miguel Jazz Festival with Etta Jones. This is where he learned to play the Hip Gig drum set. He said that he was “astonished at the portability of the sound” and “especially from the brushes”. He co-led the “Back to the Future”, project at the Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival, New York City, in 2000 with Noah Howard. It was broadcast on the nation’s first “BET On jazz” national television syndication. Bobby performed with the Fine Wine Trio in New York City and also sang and played drums at The Blue Note. He also appeared at the Elvin Jones Jazz Festival in Poland. Recently, Mr. Kapp returned from a tour in Africa and the Near East as part of his Fine Wine Trio. They were designated “Jazz Ambassadors” by the United States Department of State and opened their adventure in Washington, DC with a concert performance at Kennedy Center. From www.finewinetrio.com
