Bill Chapman has created a career in music – both in performance and in teaching – that has allowed him to showcase his raw talent and natural ability, share his passion and excitement for the art, and also shape and shake up the local music scene.

Music is something that Chapman says he craves. He expertly combines beats and rhythm into a powerful language, a self-described self-expression, which speaks of his passion for jazz and is most obvious when he is drumming. His percussion is inspired, and the sound resonates from someplace deeper than discipline or dedication alone. He is uninhibited and he plays with a devotion to the sound and style that can be heard in every groove.

Chapman is a musician, but he is also a dedicated teacher, director, and conductor. Through collaboration, Chapman has garnered the attention of established musicians in the field. He has worked to make the music that he calls “powerful and inspiring.” Chapman says that collaboration is so powerful because “in jazz it’s never the same song twice.” In 2007, Chapman experienced this first-hand while teaming up with John Medeski – of Medeski, Martin & Wood – on a commissioned work for Nickelodeon as part of the Pittsfield Jazz Festival, in Pittsfield, Ma. Chapman has worked with several established musicians, and, through his own performance, he has gained the respect of renowned musicians including Tom Gauger, of the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops.

Gauger said:

“Having heard a lot of drummers during my 42 years as a percussionist in the Boston Pops, including Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Steve Gadd… I’m having a lot of fun listing to other drummers who may not be so well known but have a lot of promise… [Chapman] is a master at cross-rhythms, has many sounds, and a good feel for Latin tunes… played nice solos but he never got in the way… he was never overpowering, and was always tasty as he added texture to some great tunes. Probably the best attribute is his natural character that came out in his playing… Something that not every drummer has. He was having a good time, and so did we.”

Chapman’s resume is varied and includes extensive experience playing with local musicians and ensembles, and with national and international groups as well, but is not limited to performance. In fact, much of Chapman’s career has been spent teaching. He has had an expensive list of private drum students through the years, and even wrote a book to be paired with his current teaching. He is the author of ‘Drum Duets,’ a series of snare drum and drum set duets for recitals and lesson study. Drum Duets is available to purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and on his website billchapmandrums.com.

Chapman has taught Band and Music in the public schools since 2002. Through the years he has taught every level from pre-k through 12th grade. He has also been an adjunct professor at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where he taught Wind Ensemble, percussion and drum set, and Intro to Music.

By day, Chapman is the consummate teacher inspiring children and young adults with some of the same beats, melodies, and rhythms that drew him deep into music when he was a young musician. But, by night, Chapman truly comes to life and his passion for performance is evident when he is on stage. Chapman establishes himself as a member of the music community and he regularly performs throughout the Northeast. He has performed and worked with the Berkshire Jazz Collective, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, Rolf Smedvig and The Empire Brass, Charles Neville, John Medeski, Benito Gonzalez, Armen Donelian, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Bob Newhart Comedy Tour, and many others.

Although he is a teacher and experienced performer, Chapman still takes time to be a student. He completed his Masters Degree in Music from Westfield State University, and developed a drum set curriculum for his drum students during his coursework. He also completed his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) in educational administration. Chapman has studied with Billy Martin –of Medeski, Martin & Wood, Peter Coutsouridis from Westfield State University, and Joe Morello – from the Dave Brubeck Quartet.

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