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Born in Montreal in 1953, Geoff Lapp was trained in the classical
tradition and studied at McGill University under widely respected
jazz pianist Art Maiste.
During the early years of his career, he gained experience in the
pop music world touring with the likes of Michel Pagliaro.
From the early '80s onwards, he devoted himself fully to the jazz
idiom. As one of Canada's most accomplished pianists/composers,
Geoff Lapp became a sought-after accompanist for a host of top Canadian
performers.
In addition to his own trio work, Geoff has performed and/or recorded
with renowned jazzmen such as Paquito d’Rivera, Don Menza, Richie
Cole, Bob Mover, Sonny Fortune, and Slide Hampton, among others.
He has also performed extensively in festivals and clubs worldwide.
At home in Quebec, he is a mainstay on the vibrant jazz scene, and
has performed with a panoply of local luminaries: Michel Donato,
Jeri Brown, Peter Leitch, Ranee Lee, Denzil Sinclair, John Labelle,
Charlie Biddle, Charles Ellison and the Montreal Jubilation Gospel
Choir.
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| "Stained
Glass"/Press Release |
Elephant Records is pleased to announce the release of
The Geoff Lapp Trio's newest recording, 'Stained Glass'.
With a mix of freshly-interpreted standards and all-new
originals, the disc offers a sparkling assortment of tunes from three
of Montreal's most respected jazzmen.
Many devotees of contemporary jazz will recognize Geoff
Lapp's piano stylings through his work with artists such as Slide Hampton,
Rainee Lee, Stephanie Biddle and Paquito d’Rivera. For jazz fans in Montreal,
however, the Geoff Lapp Trio is a landmark in its own right.
Having played extended gigs at many of the town's premiere
night spots since 1999, this is the group aficionados seek out for that
heady space where soulful and cerebral fuse -- the alembic of great jazz
moments.
On 'Stained Glass', we find Lapp in characteristic form
-- tastefully articulate and harmonically innovative – and embarking on
melodic explorations that take full advantage of the uninhibited freedoms
offered by the trio format.
The disc features 5 original compositions which range
from the bright and capricious "Sunny Rays" to the bluesy "Kathy''s
Waltz" to the textured complexity of "Theme for Margaret". Five standards
are also included, with ballads such as "Elsa" and "Day Dream"
setting off the more upbeat swing tunes like "Sweet Lorraine" and
"The Party''s Over".
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Drummer David Laing was born in Kitchener Ontario
and grew up in a musical family. He was introduced to jazz music
by his father and older brother. Dave studied at McGill University
in Montreal and began his professional career shortly thereafter.
In the past fifteen years he has recorded, toured, and performed
with such national and international stars as Jimmy Heath, Junior
Cook, Ed Bickert, Denzal Sinclaire, Ben Monder, and Ranee Lee. He
currently resides in Montreal where he also teaches at
Bass Player Paul Johnston moved to Montreal from
Ottawa in 1990 to study jazz bass at McGill University. Before completing
his studies he began working at clubs and festivals as well as on
radio and television in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec, Ottawa, Kingston.
He was a founding member of the jazz group Panache, with whom he
won a Jazz Report award for jazz vocal group of the year in 1996.
He returned to McGill to study sound recording in 1999. In 2001
Paul completed the highly regarded M. Mus in sound recording. While
remaining on the jazz scene as a bass player, he has branched out
as a producer/engineer.
"He's one of the city's finest pianists, and
anyone who has frequented any of the city's jazz club's knows Geoff
Lapp is synonymous with quality musicianship, taste and flexibility."
-
Montreal Gazette
"...his ...technique contains equal proportions
of passion and lyricism..." -
Cadence Jazz Journal, US
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Tracks from "Stained
Glass " are featured on the "Fuse
This Jazz" program
Buy
the CD at CD Baby
Geoff Lapp
Stained Glass
Elephant Records/ 2006
Tracks:
1 Sunny Rays
2 Elsa
3 With A Song In Mt Heart
4 Day Dream
5 Kathy's Waltz
6 Yo Bro
7 Theme For Margaret
8 Zack In The Box
9 Sweet Lorraine
10 The Party's Over
Produced by
Geoff Lapp and Paul Johnston
Music composed by Geoff Lapp except # 2, 3, 4 and 9.
Geoff Lapp (piano), Paul Johnston
(bass), David Laing (drums)
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