Printer-friendly versionTroupers ARTIST ID: 14079
Trouper Robin Carter - Lead and backing vocals, percussion, keyboards Robin Carter is the fourth of seven siblings and born in Brooklyn, NY. She attended the Julliard School of music at age 16 and graduated from the Metropolitan School (MSA) for the Arts in Syracuse, New York. While at MSA, Robin studied with Michael Massner - vocal coach to Diana Ross and Melba Moore. She has sung for the President of the United States, the Governor of North Carolina, and famed poet-laureate Maya Angelou. Robin toured Paris, London, and Switzerland (performing at the Montreaux Jazz Festival) with the Ira Wiggins Group. She has also performed with jazz great Tom Brown. She will be appearing as a featured artist in March 2002 in concert with the North Carolina Symphony. Robin's infectious stage presence delivers powerful performances equally to either soft jazz ballads or rockin' Tina Turner R&B dance classics. Need a classical aria? Robin can deliver!
Trouper J.P. Mitchell- Lead and backing vocals, congas, bongos, and percussion Born in Louisiana, J.P. grew up listening to blues and gospel as well as popular music of the 50's and 60's. He started playing drums professionally at age 14. By the time he was 16, he was honing his skills at dances and fraternity parties from Eastern Texas to Alabama. After moving to Chapel Hill in the late 60's, he continued his vocal and drumming development playing with many successful bands including Bro T. Holla and Nightshift. He has done numerous recording sessions in Louisiana and North Carolina. His talents have shared the stage throughout the southeast with: Little Feat, 3 Dog Night, Leon Russell, Edgar Winter, and Delbert McClinton. Has also performed in London, Spain, and the legendary "Riverside" Blues Club in Paris. J.P. brings an infectious exuberance to his performances and makes the audience have as much fun as he is having.
Trouper Ernie Donadelle - Bass, lead & backing vocals Born in New York City, Ernie evolved from a rich musical heritage. His mother and grandmother both were singers and appeared with Jimmy Lunceford at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. Starting in the fourth grade as a drummer with the St. Helena Cadet Corps and periods of playing piano and flute, Ernie found true love with the bass at age 15. Early influences of R&B, Top 40, and rock propelled Ernie to Berkley College of Music in Boston. Having completed two years at Berkley, he went on the road with Julie Grant & Crystal Vision (show band), touring for 2 years on the East Coast, Canada, Aruba, and appeared on television in Curacao. In 1982, Ernie took his prodigious talents to Los Angeles. In LA, he recorded and landed on the Billboard charts with Richard "Dimples" Fields ("Neckgrabber"), performed with Alexander O'Neal, and other area bands (original, R&B, Top 40). In 1993, Ernie and friends formed the band Luna in LA. With Luna and later Straight From The Heart, Ernie toured extensively for the next five years through Asia - playing in hotels, Hard Rock Cafe's, and Fashion Cafe's in Bangkok, Japan, Hong Kong (once performing for Princess Di), The Philippines, Taipei, and Indonesia. After touring in Spain, the band dissolved! and Ernie moved to Raleigh, NC. He has performed with jazz groups Moment's Notice and The Stanley Baird Group. Ernie will brighten your experience with The Troupers with his smiling, energetic, and engaging presence on and! off stage.
Trouper Bill Butler - Keyboards, guitars, backing vocals, Leader Bill Butler has been a professional musician for over 35 years, performing throughout the US and seven foreign countries. He is a sought after studio musician and arranger, playing many instruments in a wide variety of musical styles including Jazz, R&B, Popular, Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Folk. Bill studied classical piano for nine years. He performed at th1e 1964 World's Fair, appeared in concert with Stan Getz at age 16 (baritone horn), and, played guitar with the ECU Jazz Ensemble while in college. Bill was a founding member of successful bands Heartwood and Nightshift. He has performed in concert with musical artists including: Herbie Mann, Kirk Whalum, Steve Martin, The Four Tops, The Neville Brothers, Alex Bugnon, Nagi, Asleep At The Wheel, Jerry Jeff Walker, Boz Scaggs, Melissa Manchester, Hiram Bullock, Richard Elliot, Vassar Clemmons, Byron Berline, John Hartford, John Hammond Jr., Jim Stafford, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and David Allen Coe. For the past 10 years, he has been performing with The Stanley Baird Group, The Fabulous Shades, and' The Tarwater Band (novelists Clyde Edgerton, Susan Ketchin, and Bill Henderson), and The Ridgeway Trio. (He also writes his own promos)
Trouper Todd Proctor - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals A "drummer's drummer", Todd was raised in Richmond, Virginia, and started playing the drums at age twelve. While earning his BS in Music Business at East Carolina University, Todd's active freelance career has seen him performing with artists throughout the Southeast including: Cream of Soul, The Sam Bruton Group, The Powerhitters, Mother Nature, The Treehuggers, The Camaros, Panama Steel, Armand & Bluesology, The Duke Children's Classic (pit ensemble), Carnavilito, Mambo Crew, The Amateurs, The Crooked Smile Band, We Three, and House Arrest. His work is best represented on the following recordings: Mother Nature, Mother Nature (1995), East Carolina Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Directions 2 (1997), Armand & Bluesology, Everything I Need (1997), Rusty Adams, Windows to the Soul (1997), The Crooked Smile Band, Debut, Van Zant/Pabner, Sessions (2001), Laura Ridgeway, Triple Dog Dare Ya (2002), Dave Youngman Quartet, Usual Suspects (2002), Jim Crew, Shimmy Shack (2002), House Arrest, House Arrest. A master of the fundamentals of music, Todd is also a renowned educator - he currently teaches 35 drum students every week! When you see Todd perform, it is very clear why he is a very popular musician whose talents are in great demand - we are proud to showcase him as the drummer for The Troupers. Todd also studied with the worldrenowned! bassist, Carol Dashiell and jazz great Peter Erskine. While attending East Carolina University, Todd had the fortunate opportunity to ,play with some of the world's finest musicians: Mulgrew Miller, Christian McBride, Grady Tate, and Maceo Parker.
Trouper Alan Shiffman - Guitars, backing vocals Alan Shiffman has been a professional musician for over twenty years and has played all styles of music throughout the US. Being a guitarist with successful bands such as Mainstream, Badge, and The Soul Snatchers have honed AI's skills. He has appeared on many CD's and albums. He has been studying jazz guitar for the past three years and boy, does it show! His solid and professional stage presence and ever-present humor certainly contribute to The Trouper's performances.
GENRES FOR THIS ARTIST:
- R&B, Motown, Oldies, & Beach
SUGGESTED EVENT TYPES:
- Weddings
- Special Events
- Private Parties
