Who I Am.

RCorpolong@aol.com
Thu, 24 Aug 1995 04:30:14 -0400



Improviser, composer, arranger, and teacher, Rich Corpolongo began playing
at the age of eleven. He now performs on all the saxophones, flutes,
clarinets, and piano.

Rich played solo clarinet under Tom Fabish at St. Mel High School,
DePaul University Concert Band, and Chicago's C. Y. O. Band. His formal
training continued at Roosevelt University where he acquired a Bachelor and
Master of Music Composition degrees. His private studies included: saxophone
improvisation with Joe Daley; clarinet with Joe Daley and Walter Wollage;
flute with Ralph Johnson; composition with Karl Jirak and Robert Lombardo;
arranging with Lane Emery; and electronic composition with Don Malone.

Some of the orchestras Rich has worked with are: the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra, the Mill Run Orchestra, the Civic Opera House Orchestra, the
Playboy Club Orchestra, the Grant Park Orchestra, the Auditorium Theatre
Orchestra, the Candlelight and Forum Theatre Orchestras, plus many bands and
combos in the Chicago area.

Rich has written compositions for many local talent such as: Joe Daley
Quorum, the Fourfront, the Alternatives Big Band, Marshall Ventes Project
Nine, Bob Centano Big Band, plus many singers and show business acts in the
Chicago area.

His Jazz groups, besides playing around the Chicago area, were
showcased at the Chicago Jazz Festivals of 1983, 1984, 1985, 1989 and 1994.

Besides playing and composing for local talent, Rich is busy teaching
privately at home. He has presented clinics at Niles West High School,
Rolling Meadows High School, Elk Grove High School, Wheeling High School,
Hersey High School, Waubansee Junior College, Wright Junior College,
Vandercook College, Roosevelt University, Arizona State University, the 1984
Music Educators' National Conference Convention and Northwestern University.
He has recently given a clinic and performed at the 1994 Clarinetfest which
brings together all the Clarinet players (Symphonic, Jazz, Klezmer, Educators
and Teachers) of the world at DePaul University where he composed a special
Clarinet Quartet and Jazz Rhythm Section piece dedicated to Joe Daley his
former teacher.

"217 SEQUENCES FOR THE CONTEMPORARY MUSICIAN" and "IMPROVISATION", two
books that Rich has authored are, considered among Jazz professionals and
students, unequaled in its field.

He has performed with: Joe Daley, Eddie Harris, Herbie Hancock,
Barrett Deems, Gary Burton, Terry Gibbs, Oliver Nelson, Ira Sullivan, Louie
Bellson, Joe Morello, Mel Lewis, Paul Wertico, Doc Serversen and many others.

Some vocalists and entertainers that Rich has played for are: Frank
Sinatra, Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee, Gordon McCrea, Shirley Jones,
Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Ekstine, Debbie Reynolds, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone,
Johnny Mathis, Perry Como, Steve Allen, Liza Minelli, Steve Lawrence and
Eydie Gorme, Lena Horne, Red Foxx, Richard Pryor and many more.

Musical shows that Rich has played are: Gypsy, Applause, I Do I Do,
Coco, Irene, Seesaw, How To Succeed In Business, Hair, Chicago, Beatlemania,
The Wiz, A Little Night Music, 42nd Street, Sophisticated Lady and many more.

Rich can be heard on these albums:
Rich Corpolongo / Doug Lofstrom / Paul Wertico - "Spontaneous Composition"
(Spoco Label)
Joe Daley / Rich Corpolongo - "Sonic Blast" (Coda Label)
Les Hooper - "Look What they've Done" (Creative World Label)
Roger Pemberton - "Chicago Jazz" (Original Label)
Marshall Vente / Project 9 - "Endless Intensity" and "No Net" (Mopro)
Doug Lofstrom - "Music" (Little Miracles Label)
Guy Fricano - "Jazz Inside Out" (Forever Jazz Records)
Barrett Deems Big Band - "How Do You Like It So Far" (Delmark CD)