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Sam Trapchak

Sam Trapchak was born in 1984 in Livonia, Michigan. When he expressed an interest in music his father dissuaded him from the electric guitar with these words of wisdom: “Everyone always needs a bass player.”

From there, Sam was nurtured by the rich musical tradition of Detroit. He took up the double bass after being accepted into the jazz studies program at Wayne State University in Detroit. He won successive scholarships while enrolled there, and freelanced throughout the Metro-Detroit/Windsor area.

In 2007 Sam was awarded a full scholarship to continue his studies at William Paterson University in New Jersey. There, he studied with Mulgrew Miller, Steve Laspina, and other legendary jazz musicians. Upon completing his degree in 2009, Sam moved to downtown Jersey City where he now resides. He is a full time musician and works primarily in New York City. In August of 2010 he recorded his first album as a leader with his band “Put Together Funny”. The album, Lollipopocalypse, was released on December 16th 2010 at a celebratory concert at Cornelia St. Cafe in Greenwich Village. It is available on CDbaby.com or by contacting Sam directly.

Tags

8
Album Review

Sam Trapchak: Land Grab

Read "Land Grab" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Sam Trapchak's debut as a leader, Lollipopocalypse (Raw Toast Records, 2011) highlighted a double-bassist with formidable abilities and forward thinking music performed by an exceptional crew of like-minded musicians. Land Grab furthers his exploits of jazz off-the-beaten-path. This time around, the music delves into freer and more adventurous designs with plenty of room for the band to explore Trapchak's left-of-center arrangements. Tom Chang's gnarly electric guitar brings that jazz/rock edge whereas saxophonist Greg Ward's fluid alto brings ...

121
Album Review

Sam Trapchak's Put Together Funny: Lollipopocalypse

Read "Lollipopocalypse" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Bassist Sam Trapchak's debut, Lollipopocalypse, is inspired by a character who experiences some very unsavory candy in the Toni Morrison novel Song of Solomon. But Trapchak and his curiously named group, Put Together Funny, dish out some palatable music with a release that is equally accessible and stimulating. Replete with infectious melodies, risk-taking compositions, and cohesive variety, the seven compositions are delivered by Trapchak's potent band members Trapchak's lists Dave Holland as one of his influences in ...

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183

Recording

Sam Trapchak's Put Together Funny - Lollipopocalypse (2010)

Sam Trapchak's Put Together Funny - Lollipopocalypse (2010)

Source: Something Else!

By S. Victor Aaron Growing up in the Detroit area, Sam Trapchak's dad played electric bass, and like most musically interested young boys in America, Sam wanted to play guitar. But his father persuaded him to take up bass instead with a piece of irrefutable logic: Everyone always needs a bassist. From there, young Sam was on his way, beginning a way of life that eventually landed him a full scholarship at New Jersey's William Paterson University and the opportunity ...

"...leadership not only heard in his playing but also in the prowess of his compositions." - Mark F. Turner (All About Jazz)

"...a modernized, unconventional type of jazz that's derivative of most everything and a duplication of nothing." - S. Victor Aaron (Something Else! Reviews)

"An auspicious set by a cat who has arrived, this is well worth checking out" -Chris Spector (Midwest Records)

Primary Instrument

Bass

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Land Grab

Self Produced
2015

buy

Lollipopocalypse

Raw Toast Records
2011

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