biography
John Tropea is one of the most admired and highly regarded guitar players of his generation. His playing shows a vast knowledge and respect for the tradition of the instrument as well as an original style that continues to define how the guitar best serves a wide variety of musical styles. He is a musician's musician who attracts the finest players for his own projects.
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 Deodato, (2001 theme), projects with Laura Nyro, Harry Chapin (Cat's in the Cradle), Paul Simon (Fifty Ways), Alice Cooper (Goes to Hell), Eric Clapton (Journey Man), Dr. John, and many others. He is also a composer, arranger, and producer whose vital work is ably demonstrated by his personal projects. Tropea has a deserved worldwide reputation as an artist of quality among both audiences and other musicians.
Tropea began guitar studies at the age of 12. His musical education continued at Berklee School of Music in Boston, where he studied jazz guitar, harmony, 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 B3 organ players Jack McDuff and Jimmy Smith.
After Berklee, Tropea recorded and toured with 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. 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 and Michael Brecker, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Don Grolnick, and Richard Tee (Tropea played in The Richard Tee band). During this time Tropea also wrote and arranged music for film and broadcast advertising. With his frequent co-producer and friend Will Lee, Tropea went on to release "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. Along with his own projects, Tropea currently plays with the Original Blues Brothers Band.
www.johntropea.com
