Ken Schaphorst

• Born: 1960
• Active: '80s, '90s
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Leader, Keyboards, Composer
• Representative Albums: "Making Lunch", "When the Moon Jumps", "Indigenous Technology

Biography

Ken Schaphorst has since 1989 been leading one of the most stimulating big bands around although it has been a part-time affair. The orchestra has been an important training ground for a variety of top young talents. In the 1980's Schaphorst (who plays trumpet and keyboards but has been a writer primarily) relocated to New England. He studied at Swarthmore College, New England Conservatory and Boston University. In 1985, he helped found the Jazz Composers Alliance, an organization that showcases the compositions of advanced jazz writers. In 1991 Schaphorst became the Director of Jazz Studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, where he has been based ever since (although he has kept his ties intact with Boston-area jazzmen). Among the sidemen in Schaphorst's Big Band at one time or another, which primarily features his arrangements and compositions, have been John Medeski, Uri Caine, Drew Gress, Donny McCaslin, Chris Speed and Seamus Blake, among others. Schaphorst has recorded with his big band for JCA in 1989, Accurate in 1991 and Naxos in 1998. In addition, his ten-piece ensemble cut a set for Accurate in 1994 and in 1996 he recorded a set of Harold Arlen songs (also for Accurate) that used Medeski, Martin and Wood, the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet, Janet Planet, The Either/Orchestra, a nonet called Dadadah and a quartet named Perfumed Scorpions. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

After Blue Buy this CD

Indigenous Technology Buy this CD

Purple Buy this CD

Over the Rainbow: The Music of Harold Arlen Buy this CD

When the Moon Jumps Buy this CD