Geoff Clapp
About the Artist
Geoffrey Bryan Clapp started playing at age three when his parents Don and Ramona gave him a much anticipated green and blue sparkle toy drum set one very memorable Christmas morning.Throughout his middle and high school years, young Clapp was involved in various musical situations from church groups to The Northeast Middle School Jazz Ensemble, to the NC All State Band. From 1987-1989, studied Classical Percussion at the North Carolina School of Arts located in Winston Salem, North Carolina.
In the summer of 1989, the NCSA Jazz Ensemble and classical quartet went on a European tour representing the school and sharing its talents. In the fall of 1989, Geoff headed south to New Orleans to study Jazz Performance at the University of New Orleans with the legendary Ellis Marsalis. “After meeting Wynton Marsalis and Herlin Riley at a concert in Chapel Hill, my plans shifted from studying Classical music in New York, to rooting myself in the Crescent City to become a jazz musician. I’ve never looked back.”
While settling in the rich musical soil of New Orleans, Geoff’s true musical journey began. Immersing himself in the culture of the city and becoming close with local drummers Brian Blade, Johnny Vidacovich and Stanton Moore, and Stanley Stephens, Geoff was introduced to many new styles of music. “They hipped me to so much - the best coffee shops, clubs, eats, music shops. We also established a few hot spots ourselves: Kaldi’s Coffeehouse, Cafe Brasil and Cafe Roma.
During his ten years in NOLA, Geoff became one one of the city’s most sought after drummers, not only for Jazz but any genre of music that was going on. He has since performed, recorded and toured with such great artists such as: Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Ellis Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis, Peter Martin, Charlie Hunter, and Benny Green, to name a few. Geoff has done over 100 recording sessions, an A&E TV Special with Dianne Reeves and three film scores.
Geoff has Toured Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, and has also been asked to travel as an American Artistic Diplomat in Africa and Eastern Europe.
Living in Brooklyn, NY for seven years broadened Geoff’s musical horizons and encouraged growth as a person, especially as a working artist. He was introduced to the many sides of New York’s Jazz scene. Maintaining his connection to New Orleans, he performed with Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
