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About The Producer...
CHRISTOPHER COPELAND
Jazz/Cabaret/Blues
San Francisco cabaret producer Christopher Copeland sees himself as a man with three loves: music, singing, and show business. Mr. Copeland was the recipient in 1998 of the Dean Goodman Choice Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Theater" for "His Unique Contribution to Cabaret."
"Keep the beat going..." Herb Caen (San Francisco Examiner, columnist)
"He has produced a variety of good shows in San Francisco...We need him." Dean Goodman (Drama-Logue SF Scene)
A native of Florida, he started out to he an operatic singer and studied classical music in his early years. When he moved to California, he continued to study voice with a handful of selected teachers, including Bob Parke and Edna Fisher Hayes. Mr. Copeland performed in small San Francisco clubs and also sang annually for the San Francisco Theatrical Club at the Herbst Theater from 1986 through 1990. Although he was happy performing he always entertained the idea of producing his own shows. He found it very difficult to produce and perform, as a great deal of energy was needed for both. He decided to put his energy into producing, a decision for which he has no regrets. When asked how the business of producing talent affects him as a person, Mr. Copcland remarked: "It is hard work, but I love doing it. It is not an easy job trying to select really good singers that need to be promoted and are willing to work at it, but I think I finally found about 15 performers that are excellent singers and are willing to work at it, which makes me very happy." He has spent the last decade producing cabaret shows in venues around the San Francisco Bay Area. His performances have graced the stages of The Plush Room, The Embassy Lounge, The New Coconut Grove, The Coconut Grove, Annie's, The Blue Muse, Kimball's, and the Embassy Suites in Napa Valley. It all began with his first production "A Handfull of Stars" in 1990 at the Blue Muse. It was a big success both personally and professionally and he has since introduced many new and established singers to the San Francisco cabaret scene through his many cabaret shows and specials.
To find talent for his shows, Mr. Copeland listens to many singers at such places as the Swallow, Martuni's, Piafs, and various venues in the San Francisco area. His formula is simple, give the audience a good variety of singers and songs in every show. Each of this shows features from five to six performers accompanied by a band or small ensemble of fine musicians. He gives his artists as much freedom as possible by letting them, with his approval, select many of the numbers for his show. He has also had many musical numbers written specifically for his shows to re-enforce his themes.
Some of the singers that were featured in his shows have since been "discovered" by agents, talent scouts, and management people who have attended or been invited to Mr. Copetands cabaret shows. Two of the singers in Christopher Copeland Production shows were invited to sing at the 1998 New York Cabaret Convention, and some have launched solo careers. Mr. Copeland is very happy for them and is looking for more new talent for future productions.
Mr. Copeland is researching and planning his upcoming show this fall at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley.
"As long is there are singers and a willing audience I will continue to produce shows that will showcase new talent and great music..."
"Keep up the good work. .He has a great sense of what an audience wants to see and hear." (Warren Leong, Music Center)
The following arc some of the cabaret shows produced by Christopher Copeland Productions:
Stardust Melody
The Memory of All That
It's Up to the Band
As Long As It Swings
I've Grown Romantic Over You
Easy Street Cabaret
Moon About Town
CC presents. Fran Foston with a Big Band
Weaver of Dreams
Songs From the Heart (for the AIDS emergency fund)
Torch Me A Love Song
Mostly Gershwin and Charles De Forest
I Walk With Music
Dancing On A Dime
Hit Me With A Hot Note
The following are some of the artists both new and established that have appeared in a Christopher Copeland Production:
Zorina London
Beebe Price
Lemuel West
Kyle Hansen
Joanne Bell
Valerie Quevedo
Jana Keeler
Julie Paris
Fran Foston
Lady Mem'fis
Doug Woods
Claudia Newberry
Trisha Varley
Laura Thomas
John Nockles
Rod Sherrell