#174 Stephen Chopek- Drummer for Charlie Hunter, John Mayer, Jesse Malin, Mike Doughty & More!
Since relocating to Memphis, TN from his longtime home of Jersey City, NJ in 2014, Stephen Chopek has embraced many new things, not the least of which is the sense of spontaneity that is pervasive throughout the current crop of Memphis musicians.
Stephen began studying drum set and classical percussion at a young age. While performing with William Paterson University's percussion ensemble in New Jersey, he pursued his interest in composers such as Steve Reich, John Cage, and Edgar Varèse. Later, Chopek furthered his studies with drummer Billy Martin of Medeski Martin and Wood and percussionist Leon Parker.
As a drummer, Stephen has toured the world and recorded with Charlie Hunter, John Mayer, Marc Broussard, Jesse Malin, The Alternate Routes, The Pimps of Joytime, Todd Carey, The Everymen, and many others. He is also an accomplished singer, guitarist, and songwriter.
Since relocating to Memphis, TN from his longtime home of Jersey City, NJ in 2014, Stephen Chopek has embraced many new things, not the least of which is the sense of spontaneity that is pervasive throughout the current crop of Memphis musicians.
From seemingly every artist lending their talents to bands they don’t front to the ever-germinating and cross-pollinating of jams, album sessions, and one-off shows, the City’s sense of musical camaraderie and damn the torpedoes musical atmosphere is what most informed Chopek during the creation of his third full-length album, Begin the Glimmer (2018).
An admittedly patient songwriter who turns every bolt while crafting his music, tightening, reshaping and honing his songs time and again until he deems them ready for wide consumption, Chopek approached Begin the Glimmer with an eye toward the impetuous, the unrehearsed.
Happy Birthday Camilo Camero!
Cándido Camero, who turned 99 years old on April 22, was there in the room as Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians in New York rubbed shoulders and exchanged musical ideas, creating Latin jazz.
On this episode of Alt.Latino, we pull an interview from the archives with the great Cuban percussionist. From Havana nightlife in the 1940s to the pulsing streets of New York just after World War II, he reminisces about the seminal recordings and jam sessions that took place. He recalls moments and musicians from over 70 years ago, the facts of which are backed up by music historians and fellow musicians. - Listen on NPR
Happy Birthday Jim Keltner
James Lee Keltner (born April 27, 1942) is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He was characterized by Bob Dylan biographer Howard Sounes as "the leading session drummer in America". - Read More
R.I.P. Alan Abel
We mourn the loss of Philadelphia percussion legend, Alan Abel, who was a guru to generations of percussionists. He died on April 25, 2020 from complications of COVID-19. You can hear his warmth, creativity, and sense of humor in this 2012 WRTI feature, as well as the feelings of admiration and affection from his colleagues who now carry on.
Education Spotlight
If you’re interested in becoming a committee member for The Percussive Arts Society the Deadline is April 30th. Click here for the application!
Pop Percussion Playlist
Damon put together this playlist to complement the article that him and Marcos wrote for Modern Drummer Magazine.
Product Review
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Iconic Recording
For this week’s iconic recording our guest Stepehen Chopek picked out a ballad by John Coltrane - Lush Life.
Social Soundbyte
Music News
A CALL BY MUSICAL ARTISTS FOR BASIC FAIRNESS IN THE DIGITAL MARKETPLACE - Sign Petition
Support Artists Impacted By the Covid-19 Pandemic - Ethan Diamond - Read More
The Song Leading into the interview is Percussion Shuffle by Charlie Hunter.
Stephen Chopek Interview
The interview starts with Stephen Chopek talking about how he found out about discussions in percussion from friend of the show George Sluppick.
Stephen grew up in Rutherford in Northern Jersey. He attended grammar and prep school in Jersey until he went off to college. He spent a year and half in University of Rhode Island and then graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. Stephen was involved with the percussion department with Ray DesRoches, but he also mentions how William Paterson had a great jazz department with Rufus Reid as the director when he attended. Some other great musicians that graduated from William Paterson include Josh Dion and Mark Guliana
Damon mentions being in the Cadets of Bergen County.
Stephen had supporting parents when it came to arts and music. He also has an older sister (+3) named Claudia who’s a session violinist in NYC.
Stephen mentions when his dad took him to NY to 48th st. (Music Row) which was where many of the music stores like Sam Ash, Alex’s Music and Manny’s Music were located in the mid 80’s. He also spent a lot of time at the Knitting Factory, Blue Note, and Village Vanguard during his college days.
Stephen studied jazz with private teachers while attending William Paterson for classical percussion. When he graduated he reached out to Leon Parker and Billy Martin and started taking private lesson with both of them.
Stephen talks about Van Halen 1984 a record that influenced him as a young player and studied with his private teachers.
Marcos asks Stephen if having studied classical percussion and studied with drummers like Leon Parker and Billy Martin who are very attentive to the details was a conscious choice. Stephen says how it just spoke to him and as time passed he started to figure out why that kind of music resonated with him.
Stephen talks about how Leon Parker was a mentor to him where he would sit in on rehearsals or tech for him on gigs. With Billy Martin Stephen would study the new book that Billy was developing, Riddim: Claves of African Origin, as well as try to find his own voice by working on free form solos.
After graduating college Stephen moved to Jersey City where he had close access the NYC. He avoided the high rent from NYC and had an easier time keeping a car.
Stephen talks about recording and playing with Charlie Hunter. Stephen was introduced to Charlie by Leon Parker and they recorded the album “Charlie Hunter” together where they had a percussion section with three drummers. Stephen later went on tour with that album
Stephen talks about the connection between the Charlie Hunter gig and the John Mayer gig. It was a really smooth transition and John even asked Charlie to open for him during his tour. Stephen toured the Rooms for Squares record with John for a year and in the middle of that they did a live recording Any Given Thursday. The personnel on that live album included Michael Chaves (keyboards, guitars, backing vocals) and David LaBruyere (bass guitars).
After touring with Charlie Hunter and John Mayer, Stephen had his foot on the door and started working with other artists like Marc Broussard, Jesse Malin and The Alternate Roots. Stephen mentions touring for Jesse’s Album The Heat.
After taking a break from drumming in 2008-2009 he started doing a lot more freelance work in with artists like The Pimps of Joytime, Todd Carey, and The Everymen.
Stephen moved to Memphis in 2014 after his wife got a job opportunity at a community development program. He talks about his transition to a new music scene and how being in a new environment has changed his playing.
When Marcos asks Stephen about an iconic recording he mentions Nick Drake’s Pink Moon and John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman
Stephen is endorsed by Pearl Drums, Sabian Cymbals, and Vic Firth.
You can find more on Stephen on his Website, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Spotify, Twitter, Soundcloud.
The song leading out of the interview is Cherokee Arms by Stephen Chopek
