Charles H. Chapman

PO Box 251 Littleton, MA 01460-0251 USA

(617) 747-8142 Voicemail Fax: (617) 247-6878

cchapman@berklee.edu

Charles Chapman is a Professor in the Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music where he has taught since 1972. He is a versatile jazz guitarist with extensive performing and recording experience. Charles holds a Bachelors degree from Berklee College and a Masters of Education from Cambridge College. He performed four tunes on Mel Bay’s compilation CD “Anthology of Jazz Guitar Solos”, all tracks on the CD that accompanies the text “Guitar Solos” by George Van Eps (Mel Bay Pub.). Two tracks on the “Just Jazz Guitar” CD (JJG magazine) and recorded all three CD’s included with the very popular Modern Method Guitar Series by William Leavitt (Berklee Press Pub). His most recent recording is a solo CD titled: Come Sunset. Charles has published eight texts with Mel Bay and two with Miller Freeman Publishing and now performs on a regular basis at Guitar Shows and jazz festivals internationally. As a music journalist he has interviewed many of the most prominent guitarists in the field and is a frequent contributor to Guitar Player, Guitar Shop, Acoustic Guitar, Frontline, 20th Century Guitar and Just Jazz Guitar magazines with over 400 published articles and reviews.

Charles has appeared in concert with such luminaries: Martin Taylor, Kenny Burrell, Joe Negri Jimmy Bruno, Frank Vignola, John Pisano, Ted Greene, Carol Kaye, Jerry Jemmott and Dwane Dolphin.

Charles is an Artist Endorser for Fender/Guild Corporation, Benedetto Guitars and Double Treble custom guitar straps”.

Quotes

Charles Chapman is an old-school jazz player who’s right at home with the timeless standards of yesterday, something amply proved on his solo album, In Black & White. His chord comping is superb, and the solos are low-key, but downright tasty. Overall, an elegant, understated jazzer.

Pete Prown—Editor-in-chief Guitar Shop magazine.

Charles Chapman is a mature guitarist with roots deeply planted in the traditional jazz style. His debut release “In Black & White” showcases his unique abilities as a soloist and interpreter of jazz standards in the guitar/bass duo setting—one that even the most seasoned players find challenging. His tasteful

chord solos and accompaniments display a grasp of fretboard harmony which is rarely found among today’s guitarslingers. An impressive first outing.

Mark Small Editor-in-chief Berklee today magazine.

I’ve watched Charles Chapman skillfully mold young guitarists at Berklee. In classes and private lessons, he draws the best from his students, inspiring and challenging them. Part therapist, part coach, Charles guides them with humor and wisdom. Players leave his watch transformed.

Andy Ellis—Lessons Editor, Guitar Player magazine.

Charles has extraordinary insight into both playing and teaching and has established himself as a vital force in the ongoing evolution of the jazz guitar. His talent, enthusiasm and dedication certainly qualify him as “Most Valuable Player”!

Bob Benedetto—World Renowned Luthier

To add to what Bob said—in addition to being a great guitarist, Charles is a well-respected and prolific writer who really goes out of his way to accommodate those he’s writing about. On top of that he has a terrific sense of humor.

Cindy Benedetto—“The First Lady of Archtop Guitar!”

If teachers were all like Charles Chapman I would have a different opinion of jazz education.

Frank Vignola—Concord Recording Artist

Charles is a great teacher, fine musician and a dear person.

Carole Kaye—Legendary bassist, author and recording artist

JUST RELEASED

COME SUNSET

This CD contains fourteen track’s of easy listening jazz guitar at it’s best. Nine solo guitar, two with bass and three in the trio format. For ordering information contact address above or email: chapmand4@mac.com

MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS

Drop 2 Concept for Guitar

This collection will open up a new world of harmonic possibilities for the beginning to intermediate guitarists, and will shore up the basics and provide added harmonic visualization for the advanced player. Chapters on comping and chord soloing applications are also included. Written in notation and tablature.

Making the Changes

Book/CD set (99069BCD)

This book provides a basic time-proven method to lift the harmonic haze that impedes the ability to improvise creatively. Routine application of these concepts will assure positive results.

Bass Line Basics for Guitar

Book/CD Set (98387BCD)

This book is for all levels and styles of guitarists. "Finger Gymnastics" is a term used for warm-ups, stretching, and any type of practice exercise that develops technique and stamina while preventing technique-related injuries. The exercises in this book are time-tested and will keep your technique at its optimum while helping to ensure injure-free performance.

Finger Gymnastics

This book is for all levels and styles of guitarists. "Finger Gymnastics" is a term used for warm-ups, stretching, and any type of practice exercise that develops technique and stamina while preventing technique-related injuries. The exercises in this book are time-tested and will keep your technique at its optimum while helping to ensure injure-free performance.

Interview With The Jazz Greats…and more!

Book 99489

A collection of insightful interviews with many of the most prominent figures in today's guitar world. There are 25 articles selected from Charles Chapman's extensive work as a music journalist, which include such legends as Johnny Smith, John Abercrombie, George Benson, John Scofield, and Howard Alden. Also featured are contemporary rock artists Steve Morse and Vinnie Moore, with quotes from George Van Eps, Steve Vai and Bucky Pizzarelli, as well as an interview with renowned luthier Robert Benedetto.

Mel Bay's Master Anthology of Jazz Guitar Solos Volume 1

Book/CD set (98371BCD)

Charles wrote one piece and performed on five others

Mel Bay's Master Anthology of Jazz Guitar Solos Volume 1 presents a generous collection of 67 challenging pieces designed to enhance the repertoire of the intermediate to advanced jazz guitarist. Many of the world's finest jazz guitarists of the latter half of the 20th century are represented, including John Abercrombie, Cal Collins, Mickey Baker, Jim Ferguson, Sal Salvador, Buddy Fite, Jerry Hahn, Rick Haydon, Sid Jacobs, Bucky Pizzarelli, Charles Chapman, and many others. The selections include both new pieces and some of the best previously published pieces from the latter half of the 20th century. Standard notation and tablature are offered for most pieces (a few are notation only), along with a biographical sketch of the performer. A set of 3 companion stereo CD's is included, making this an ideal sourcebook for serious students and professionals alike. 376 pages.

George Van Eps Guitar Solos

Book/CD set (94822BCD)

Charles edited text and performed all nine arrangements

This book presents nine original guitar solos written for the six-string guitar by jazz guitarist George Van Eps. His arrangements and chord symbols illustrate advanced harmonic melodic concepts. In standard notation and tablature with carefully annotated fngerings.

PHOTO GALLERY

1976 Hangin’ with Lenny Breau	Bucky, Bob, Charles & John Pizzarrelli at the Smithsonian Institution
NY Gtr. Show w/Chris Buzzelli and Adam Rafferty	NY Gtr. Show w/Howard Alden and Bob Benedetto
Charles w/ Guitar Collector Scott Chinery at the Smithsonian	Andy Summers
Charles w/Johnny Smith	Rich Appleman, Carol Kaye and Charles at Berklee
Charles performing with Carol at the CA, NAMM Show	Charles w/George Benson
Jimmy Bruno w/Charles	Charles w/Vic Juris
Charles w/Phil Upchurch	John Abercrombie w/Charles
After NAMM 2000 performance Back row: Tim May, Randy Johnson,Howard Alden, Johnny Smith, Jimmy Bruno, Bob Benedetto, Dan Faehlne, Charles, Kenny Burrell, Bill Doyle. Front row: Bill Schultz (CEO of Fender) Bruce Bolin, Ken Wild, Bob Heinrich and Cindy Benedetto.
Charles w/Seymour Duncan at Duquesne University	Charles w/Ed Benson in St. Louis
Charles, Fedarico Britos, John Burr Frank Vignola	Charles w/Julian Lage in St. Louis
Charles w/Martin Taylor in Scotland	Martin, Tommy Emmanuel & Charles
Bob Brozman & Charles in Scotland	Julian Lage, Charles & Martin
Charles w/Joe Negri, Jimmy Bruno and John Pisano	Lee Berk and Gary Burton congratulating Charles for 25 years of service at Berklee.
MEL BAY PUBLICATIONS ADVISORY BOARD Doug Whitherspoon, Mike Christiensen, Bill Bay, Steve Kaufman, Charles, John Hartin Front: Muriel Anderson, Stanley Yates and John McClellan.

SPECIAL GUITARS
Benedetto, La Cremona Azzure at the Smithsonian Institution	Debut of the Benedetto at the Jazz Awards in NYC
1953 DeAngelico New Yorker	1947 Stromberg
Bob and Charles w/ the Pizzar Guitar
DeAquisto Teardrop