Dave Flippo

Dave Flippo (born David William Flippo on March 1, 1958 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), is a jazz pianist, composer, vocalist, teacher and bandleader based in the Chicago area. He is the leader of the Chicago-based modern jazz quintet FLIPPOMUSIC (originally FLIPPOMUSIC GLOBALJAZZ), an ensemble whose unique "globaljazz" approach to jazz and large body of original compositions has given it a special place in the Chicago jazz scene.^[1] Flippo is also a past member of slam poet Marc Smith’s Pong Unit Band.^[2]

Biography

Early years and school

Dave Flippo was born in Pittsburgh on March 1, 1958 and began piano studies at the age of four.^[3] He is a graduate of Baldwin High School (1976). He received degrees from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1980-B.A. in Music Composition and Theory),^[4] the Eastman School of Music (1982-Masters of Music in Music Composition)^[5] and the University of Michigan (1987-Doctorate of Musical Arts in Music Composition).^[6] His minors and side studies included conducting, ethnic music, music history and jazz.

Jazz studies and teaching in Chicago

During the final year of studies at the U of M, Dave began jazz piano studies with Alan Swain in Chicago and, upon graduation, moved to Chicago to continue these studies, perform and teach at the Swain Music Studios.^[7] He taught at the Swain Studio until 2010, when it restructured and presently teaches at his own Skokie-based piano studio – Dr. Flippo’s Eclectic Piano Studio, teaches in the home in the North Shore are and is jazz instructor at the College of Lake County (1997 to present).^[8] He also taught piano at DePaul University (1995–1999).

Third Stream Performance and Composition

Between the years 1988 - 1990, Flippo began performing and composing for the Ethos Chamber Orchestra, which specialized in “third stream” compositions – classical music with jazz influences and areas of improvisation. He wrote two commissioned works for the group: “Two Visions at Twilight” ^[9] and “A Walk in the Park.”^[10]

GlobalJazz and the Birth of Flippmusic

In 1992, Flippo began composing new pieces he called “globaljazz” and formed the jazz quintet “FLIPPOMUSIC.” The group performed throughout the Chicago area and has recorded two CDs of globaljazz (Tendrils of Light,^[11] Ganesh^[12]) and two CD’s featuring Flippo singing both standards and his own original vocal compositions (When the Heart is Strong,^[13] Tao Tunes^[4]). While composing music for Ganesh, he studied Indian raag theory with Lyon Leifer (bansurist) and Muntaz Ali (tabla.)

Other Projects and Work

-Musical Director and soloist at Unity Bright Horizons and Unity Church of Lake County 2000-2005.*^[14]
-Member of slam poetry band Pong Unit Band which performed with Marc Smith at the Green Mill Club in Chicago and on national tours. 2000-2006. Also performed with the Mo Pu Gumbo poetry troup under the direction on Marc Smith – 2006-2007.^[2]
-Graduate of “Writer’s Workshop” at the Theatre Building Chicago -a two year program focusing on creating new musicals. Composed two full length musicals: Amelia and Roxane of Bergerac. 2006-2007.^[15] (p. 27)
-Community activities: cub scout leader, executive chair-Fairview South multicultural committee, AYSO soccer coach, Neighborhood block captain, Fairview picture-person.

Discography

New Age Variations – solo piano improvisations and compositions (Inner Light Records, Ann Arbor, MI) 1985^[16]
Winter Sketches – solo piano improvisations and compositions (Inner Light Records, Ann Arbor, MI) 1986^[17]
Tendrils of Light – FLIPPOMUSIC (Southport Records, Chicago, IL SSD 0024 ) 1994^[18]
Ganesh – FLIPPOMUSIC (Southport Records, Chicago, IL SSD 0088 ) 2001^[18]
When the Heart is Strong, the Voice Rings True – Da Duo Di Flippo De Santo (Oppilf Records, Chicago, IL 1001) 2004^[18]
Tao Tunes – FLIPPOMUSIC (Oppilf Records, Chicago, IL 1002) 2011^[4]

(sideman/compilation)
It’s About Time! – Marc Smith Poetry 2003^[19]
Independent Label Fest Compilation 2005

Original Compositions

Tao Tunes

Stop	Distractions	Returning	Sick	Paradox	Trouble	Hopeless	Tao	Worthy
Within	Feeling	Questions	Virtue	Water	Useful	Fearless	Spirit	Truth

Vocal and Instrumental Jazz

Bossa De Santo	Autumn Rambler	Kuzushi	Free for All	Prelude to a Dream	The Face of Love
Always Altered	leven Way Intersection	Song of Solomon	Mother’s Caress	Dreams Reborn	Downward Spiral
Ancient Voices	Ancient Voices	Through Prism’s Eyes	Four-Four Waltz	Melissa	Sweet Imp
People I’ll Never Know	I Wanna Canoe With You	Bop Hop	Walking Sideways	Prayer	Drifting Within

Globaljazz Compositions

Cool Ali	Antelopin	Arabopic	Plateau	Twisted Beauty	The Jig’s Up	Battle of Shiva and Ganesh	Rebound	Giraffe Trek	Camel Trot	Gyromaniations
City Soul	Ganesh	Tendrils of Light	Shadow Dances	Buddha’s Siesta	Syrtotic	Sambasis	Ragaqua	Colossus	Ancient Voices

Full Length Musicals

Amelia-Book by Lynn Chloe Bolan, lyrics by Lynn Sanders, music by Dave Flippo.
Roxane of Bergerac-Book and lyrics by Marie Yuen, music by Dave Flippo.^[20](p. 27)

External links

Additional Biographical, Audio and Video Materials: http://www.sonicbids.com/flippojazz
CDs: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Flippomusic

References

1. ^ "Global Repertoire - Chicago Tribune". Reich, Howard, Global Repertoire. Chicago Tribune.January, 30 1994.. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-01-30/features/9401300066_1_melody-and-harmony-ensemble-middle-east. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Marc Smith's Band: formerly known as The Pong Unit". Slampapi.com. http://www.slampapi.com/new_site/band/doctor_david_flippo.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
3. ^ "Jazz Tailor - Chicago Tribune". Hart, Hughs. "Jazz Tailor". Chicago Tribune. June 13, 1995. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-07-13/features/9507130099_1_jazz-standard-tunes-music. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Dave Flippo ’80 Releases "Tao Tunes" CD - IUP Magazine - IUP". Iup.edu. 2011-07-20. http://www.iup.edu/magazine/alumniextra/page.aspx?id=113032&blogid=12117. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
5. ^ "Rochester Review • University of Rochester". "Class Notes: Eastman School of Music". Rochester Review. Fall, 2004, vol. 67 no.1. http://www.rochester.edu/pr/Review/V67N1/cn-east.html. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
6. ^ "UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance - Department of Composition - Alumni". Music.umich.edu. http://www.music.umich.edu/departments/composition/alumni.php?year=198. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
7. ^ "Alan Swain Music Studios, Links of Interest". Alanswainmusic.com. http://www.alanswainmusic.com/links.html. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
8. ^ "CLC - Faculty & Staff Directory". Clcillinois.edu. 2010-10-22. http://www.clcillinois.edu/staff/staff.asp?alpha=F. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
9. ^ "flights to the stars of a dreaming body - : for full orchestra with electric guitar, electric bass and drum set / David Flippo. - Item Details - Chicago Public Library". Chipublib.org. 2007-02-07. http://www.chipublib.org/search/details/cn/1137089. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
10. ^ "A walk in the park : a dance suite for string quartet, alto saxophone, trumpet, drums, contrabass, guitar and Latin percussion / David Flippo. - Item Details - Chicago Public Library". Chipublib.org. 2007-02-07. http://www.chipublib.org/search/details/cn/1137071. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
11. ^ "Flippomusic Globaljazz: Tendrils of Light... - Chicago Tribune". Reich, Howard. "Flippomusic Globaljazz: Tendrils of Light". Chicago Tribune September 18, 1994.. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1994-09-18/entertainment/9409180115_1_band-keyboardist-and-composer-texture. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
12. ^ Jazz Institute of Chicago. "Flippomusic: Ganesh | Jazz Institute of Chicago". Jazzinchicago.org. http://www.jazzinchicago.org/educates/journal/reviews/flippomusic-ganesh. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
13. ^ "When the Heart is Strong The Voice Rings True by Da Duo Di Flippo De Sante". Williams, H. Allen. "When the Heart is Strong, the Voice Rings True by Da Duo Di Flippo De Sante". Jazz Review.com August 9, 2004. http://www.jazzreview.com/reviews/latest-cd-track-reviews/item/22400-.html. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
14. ^ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-97593486.html
15. ^ "Eastman Notes July 2006". "Alumni News". Eastman Notes Winter, 2008.. http://www.esm.rochester.edu/pdf/notes/NotesWinter2008.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
16. ^ "New Age Variations - David Flippo". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/new-age-variations-r116964. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
17. ^ "Winter Sketches - David Flippo". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/winter-sketches-r121601. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
18. ^ ^{a b c} "Flippomusic". CD Baby. http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Flippomusic. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
19. ^ "It's About Time - Marc Smith". AllMusic. 2003-03-11. http://www.allmusic.com/album/its-about-time-r634877. Retrieved 2011-09-15. 
20. ^ "Eastman Notes July 2006". "Alumni News". Eastman Notes Winter, 2008.. http://www.esm.rochester.edu/pdf/notes/NotesWinter2008.pdf. Retrieved 2011-09-15.