Josh Shpak

As you may know Josh Shpak is an 18 year old trumpet player current attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston.  We have reported before on Josh, here is a link to previous reports (link in red) Read About Josh.  On November 12th, while Tower Of Power was in Boston, Josh got to sit in with the band again for “What Is Hip?” and “Your Still A Young Man”.  Below are video’s of the show.

Here is a recent bio for Josh as well:

Jazz trumpeter, Josh Shpak — between making regular trips to the home of jazz legend, Clark Terry, for private jazz lessons, being chosen as the only jazz trumpet player in the USA to win the 2012 NFAA YoungArts Award, performing with the 2011 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra at the Monterey Jazz Festival, winning Downbeat Awards, and sitting in with Arturo Sandoval and TOWER OF POWER — has packed quite a lot into his first 18 years on earth. In fact, during his senior year alone at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, California, he auditioned for and made it into every one of the most elite honor jazz groups in the world: the 2010 Berklee Summer Jazz Workshop, the 2010 Vail Jazz Workshop, the 2010 Brubeck Summer Jazz Colony, the 2011 Grammy Jazz Ensemble, the 2011 Jazz Band of America, and the 2011 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra.

Upon graduation from high school in 2011, Josh received full-tuition, four-year scholarship offers from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Frost Music School at the University of Miami. He chose Berklee, where he is currently attending, while continuing to study privately with Clark Terry, Bobby Shew, Laurie Frink, Tiger Okoshi, Ingrid Jensen, Christian Scott and Mic Gillette, as well as being produced and receiving guidance from his life-long mentor, Michael Miller.

10. Fingers are so fat hit three keys at once.

9. 19 Pound turkey, you gained 20 pounds.

8. Your Malt liquor stocks surged than split, like your pants.

7. A sword fight turkey leg fight with Brother in law causes you to wear an
eye patch today.

6. OPD Tact Squad who is called to the house know your first name, and
expect a plate of food.

5. You found yourself on the back of a Harley in front of Oakland liquor
store in a business suit.

4. During YSAYM Got down on your knees and needed a forklift to get back
up.

3. Button popped off your pants and knocked the cat out.

2. Done found the stroke which required emergency chiropractic care.

1. Gas at work caused your office chair to propell you across the room.

"Bill Champlin" Image courtesy of Bobby Gladd

This past Monday night I headed over to Palms to catch Santa Fe And The Fat City Horns for what their band leader Jerry Lopez calls a “Healing”.  I was already excited as I was aware that Bill Champlin was “Sittin In” with the band, along with his wife Tamara and their son Will.  I arrived early so that I could sit in my favorite area (first in line).  Once seated, I chatted with a few folks until the show started, anticipation building.

The opening had the horn section (by themselves) laying down a very funky groove, which segway’s into one of my favorites (again an instrumental) “South American Sojourn”.  From that moment, I knew that this was going to be a special night.  Before Bill came out, the band played five more songs some of which are on their current CD’s and, a couple I’m sure are destined for a future CD.  My favorite is a song penned by Jamie Hosmer (keyboards and vocals) titled “Take Me Home”.

"Bill Champlin With Jerry Lopez" Photo Courtesy of Bobby Gladd

Ok, so the band gets the crowd fired up, and now Bill Champlin is introduced.  Bill has been one of my favorites for a long time (yes I am Sons Of Champlin fan, and yes you can hear Bill’s voice on many songs played by us, as he’s a guest vocalist on many projects).  Bill sits down at the B3 and announces that they are “Going to play a medley of his hit”.  Well the hit is actually two Grammy Award winning songs (penned by Bill) “Turn Your Love Around”, and “After The Love Is Gone”.  The arrangement’s are a bit different than their commercial versions (hits by George Benson and Earth Wind and Fire) and with Bill’s soulful voice, are gems in their own right.

For the next few songs Tamara Champlin came up and sang a duet will Bill, and sang one of her own songs “Back Streets Of Paradise”.  If you have not heard Tamara sing, I must tell you, she has a great voice.  Very bluesy and soulful, and although I don’t like to compare people, her voice kind of reminds me of Lydia Pense.

"Tamara Champlin" Photo Courtesy of Bobby Gladd

Towards the end of the show Will Champlin came up to lend his musical talents to the last few songs.  Will is quite an accomplished key board player, and vocalist as well.  He sang lead on one of his songs “Rainin Sunshine”.  Wow yet another Champlin that can sing their ass off.  I must tell you I often have doubts about where music is going these day’s, but to see someone of Will’s talent, I known there is still hope for good music to be played by young artists.

"Will Champlin" Photo Courtesy of Bobby Gladd

The show ended with Santa Fe’s version of “Livin For The City” with everyone taking lead vocals during the song.  At the end, the house went wild.  What an amazing overall performance.

"The Champlins" Photo Courtesy of Tammy Schleppegrell

"The Finale" Photo Courtesy of Tammy Schleppegrell

Here are some take away’s from the show:

• Santa Fe always amazes me.   Jerry makes sure that everyone gets some of the spotlight both instrumentally and vocally.
• Bill Champlin was laying down some pretty cool guitar grooves, which amazed me as I have always focused on his singing and keyboard playing.
• Tamara Champlin, please get out and buy some of her music, you will not be disappointed.
• Will Champlin I will say it again, you (and I’m sure there are some others out there) are the future of real musicianship.
• This show was recorded on Video, for a Internet video broadcast at a later date.  I will let everyone know as soon as I find out when that is.

Lastly, I don’t normally do reviews, as I am not very good at it, but this performance inspired me.

For more on Bill Champlin go to: www.billchamplin.net

Tamara Champlin: www.reverbnation.com/tamarachamplin

Will Champlin: www.willchamplin.com

Santa Fe And The Fat City Horns: www.santafeband.com

For More of Bobby G’s photos: www.santafeandthefatcityhorns.blogspot.com

It almost got by us, but this month is our 6th year of operation.  Starting out as soulradioonline.com and now horndrivenradio.com, we have been trying to provide the best in Horn Driven music from bands around the world.  We have gotten to know quite a few artists over the past years, and have had a blast playing their music.  So to them we would like to say thanks, for sending in all the great music.  And to our listeners, thanks so much for staying with us.  Hopefully this next year, we will bring you even more new music that you will enjoy.

I would particularly like to thank Craig Webb and AC Hernandez for their contributions to the Station.  Thanks again guys…Raoul.