Richard Corpolongo's Page

My Role

Artist

My Discipline(s)

Music

About Me And My Work

Rich Corpolongo has performed with many of Chicago’s top jazz musicians and groups including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Opera House Orchestra, the Grant Park Orchestra, the Auditorium Theatre Orchestra, the Candlelight and Forum Theatre Orchestras.
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.
Rich’s jazz group have played extensively around the Chicago area, and have been showcased at most all of the Chicago Jazz Festivals starting with 1983 and finishing most recently in 2006. Besides playing and composing for local talent, Corpolongo has given clinics at most high schools and colleges in and around the Chicago area such as: Niles West High School, Rolling Meadows High School, Elk Grove High School, Wheeling High School, Hersey High School, Waubansee College, Wright College, Vandercook College, Roosevelt University, Arizona State University, the Music Educators' National Conference Convention, Northwestern University, Illinois State University, the ICA Clarinetfest at DePaul University in Chicago and the Northern Illinois University Clarinet Cornucopia in Dekalb Illinois. He also has written four books on improvisation, "217 Sequences For The Contemporary Musician" and "Improvisation" a set of three books (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced).
He has performed with many legendary jazz musicians such as: Joe Daley, Eddie Harris, Herbie Hancock, James Moody, Oliver Nelson, and vocalist like: Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Nancy Wilson, Billy Ekstine, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, and musical shows like: Gypsy, Applause, I Do I Do, Coco, Irene, How To Succeed In Business, Hair, Beatlemania, The Wiz, A Little Night Music, Sophisticated Lady and many more.
Rich can be heard on these albums:
"Spontaneous Composition" - Rich Corpolongo / Doug Lofstrom / Paul Wertico - (Spoco Label)
"Sonic Blast" - Joe Daley / Rich Corpolongo - (Coda Label)
"Look What they've Done" - Les Hooper - (Creative World Label)
"Chicago Jazz" - Roger Pemberton - (Original Label)
"Music" - Doug Lofstrom - (Little Miracles Label)
"Jazz Inside Out" - Guy Fricano - (Forever Jazz Records)
Public Rehearsals" - Destiny Quibble And The Street - (Destiny Quibble)
"How Do You Like It So Far” - Barrett Deems Big Band (Delmark CD)
“Just Found Joy" - Rich Corpolongo Quartet Plus Two - (Delmark CD)
"Smiles" - Rich Corpolongo Quartet - (Delmark CD)
“Swingin In The Big City” - John Burnett Orchestra/Buddy DeFranco - (Chicago Lakeside Jazz)
"D'Rone And DeHaas Sing Anka" - Frank D'Rone and Geraldine DeHaas - (Phonograph)
"Burning In F and G" - Doug Blake - (Blake 'N' Blue)
"John Roothaan and Terry Sullivan" - (Acapulco Stomp)
"The Playground" - Doug Blake - (Blake 'N' Blue)
Trinity" - John Moulder Ensemble - (Origin-Records)

Art Forms And Cultures I Would Like To Engage With

Since I have been saved through the strips of Jesus and I have faith big enough to move mountains I proclaim myself to be a born again christian.

My Creative Influences & Favorite Artists

Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Eric Dolphy, Ornette Coleman, Stan Getz, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Joe Daley, Igor Stravinsky, Bela Bartok, Paul Hindermith, J.S. Bach, Maurice Ravel, Fredrick Delius, Mozart, Beethoven, Karl Jirak, Tom Fabish, Puccini, Severino Gazzalione, Pavorotti, Eddie Giannini, Larry Combs, James DiPasquale, James Moody, Clifford Brown, Chet Baker, Russell Thorn, Al Gallodoro, Jimmy Dorsey, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Frankie Trumbauer.

My Artistic Affiliations

Rich Corpolongo Trio, Rich Corpolongo Quartet, Triton College Concert Band,

My Web link

http://richardcorpolongo.com