Rob Chapman Music Autobiography

I am a songcreator, performer (minor variation of singer songwriter) from the Chicago area. "I like that a song can be written and recorded and can last forever, as opposed to the temporary nature of a live performance".

I consider my original songs to be primarily ROCK with a jazz, swing, blues and rockabilly influence (and even a touch of pop and country at times).

I have received comments on my songs and CDs describing my music as "atmospheric", "soothing" and "passionate".

My primary instruments are guitar, piano and trumpet. I started as a trumpet player in school, playing along with "Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass" records. I like using trumpet fills these days, in my recordings, and I think that they add a nice variety to the recordings. I also like doing the vocal parts and have improved at this quite a bit over the years.

While in high school, I was drafted into a local band called "The Hunns", who later shared the stage, as startup band, for the Strawberry Alarmclock (Incense Peppermint), Corky Segal (previously Siegal-Schwall) and Rhinoceros (Apricot Brandy) at The CELLAR in Arlington Heights, Il.

I majored in music, on a music scholarship (mostly for lead/screech trumpet in the Jazz Band), at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois.

After college, I performed with many of the famous garage bands, including "Hot Poop", "Headcrash" and "Free Beer"! (True, but not too serious you know...). I also played some of the areas restaurant/bar gigs and partys with other musicians and as a solo artist (acoustic guitar and vocals).

OK, now that you got my musical background, I must fess up to the fact that I have a reality based day job on the side... to pay the bills! I am also a programmer analyst. This supports my music habit (and my eating habit) and I think it helps a little for putting together these here web pages too! :-)

Musical Influences

The Grateful Dead, Animals, Chicago (early), Eric Clapton, Eagles, John Lennon and his Beatles Band, Bob Seger, Jethro Tull, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Nelson John McLaughlin, Bob Marley, Herbie Hancock, Don Ellis, ZZ Top, Bach, Mozart, Traffic, Steppenwolf, Tchaikovsky, Led Zepplin, Jefferson Airplane, Elton John, Little Feat ...

and more of course...

Organizarions and Critiques

I have recently received critiques and help from a member of Cheap Trick, and have been a member and participated in songwriting organizations from the Nashville Songwriting Association International (NSAI), to the Chicago based Chicago Songwriter Collective.

(Photo is from the late 1980s)