Keith Copeland

Keith Copeland (born in New York City on April 18, 1946, died in Germany on February 14, 2015) was a jazz drummer and music educator.

Career

His father, Ray Copeland, was a jazz trumpeter, and he learned by watching him, but he decided to play drums after studying Art Blakey's records with The Jazz Messengers.

In his teens played with Barry Harris. He later worked with the Heath Brothers, but Percy Heath disliked his style, leading to arguments and to Copeland quitting.

During his musical career, Copeland played with Sam Jones, Billy Taylor, Johnny Griffin, Stevie Wonder, Rory Stuart, George Russell, and Hank Jones. He also led his own European-based groups, including one with Irish bassist Ronan Guilfoyle.

Copeland taught at The New School University in New York City, Rutgers, and Berklee College of Music before moving to Germany in 1992 and teaching in the Hochschule system. His students include Terri Lyne Carrington, Darren Beckett and Adam Cruz.

Discography

As leader

• On Target (Jazz Mania, 1993)
• The Irish Connection (SteepleChase, 1996)
• Round Trip (SteepleChase, 1997)
• Postcard from Vancouver (Jazz Focus, 1998)

As sideman

With Paul Bley

• BeBopBeBopBeBopBeBop (SteepleChase, 1990)

With Joshua Breakstone

• Echoes (Contemporary, 1987)
• Evening Star (Contemporary, 1988)

With Stanley Cowell

• Sienna (SteepleChase, 1989)
• Departure #2 (SteepleChase, 1990)

With Johnny Griffin

• Return of the Griffin (Galaxy, 1978)

With Johnny Hartman

• Once in Every Life (Bee Hive, 1980)

With Sam Jones

• The Bassist! (Interplay, 1979)

With Charlie Rouse

• The Upper Manhattan Jazz Society (Enja, 1981 [1985]) with Benny Bailey

With Rory Stuart

• Hurricane (Sunnyside, 1986)

With Martin Wind

• Tender Waves (A Records, 1995)

External links

• Keith Copeland website