About me
"I'm not playing the drums. I am the drums. What I'm playing is THE MUSIC." -- Bopa King Carre Bopa King Carre is a deeply spiritual and intuitive creator with much more life experience than his age would imply. He is an extremely versatile and eclectic drummer, master percussionist, improviser, composer, arranger, actor, teacher and always a student. He is among the most explosive and energetic live performers anywhere. Bopa exhibits visionary musicality, deep listening, shocking improvisational talent, formidable technique, a strong sense of time, great stamina and immense stage presence. His constant exploration of the music and rhythms from his life-study, world travel, tremendous performance history, extensive dance club experience and endless inner space-born mystical channeling keep Bopa King Carre naturally sensitive to the dynamics and attitudes of almost any musical situation. His ability to anticipate other musician’s choices of notes, chords and rhythmic changes at any tempo, with no hints or cues, contribute to his mastery of accurately “playing the mix†with DJs. His uncanny ability to guess any DJ's next song selection is among the most obvious attributes setting Bopa King Carre apart from all other percussionists. Influenced by diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, Bopa grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan listening to the exotic sounds of early 1970’s A.M. Radio, Salsa Romantico, Brazilian, Calypso, Classical, Greek, “Fiddler on the Roof, †Johnny Cash, Mambo, Mario Lanza, Miles Davis, Mohammad El Bakkar, Motown, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Santana, Sly and the Family Stone and various other artists. 1976 – 1988 - Bopa King Carre played the trombone in the third grade. In the fifth grade Bopa picked up the guitar. When he first encountered percussion, in school, he was not so attracted to the study. He felt that, “the drums would be too easy to play.†Bopa decided not to pursue any more music in place of a brief fling with the Visual Arts, but during this time Bopa had a strong aversion to Disco. During the early Eighties, Bopa accompanied his many “rapping†classmates by pounding on tables with his fists, hands and with vocalized "beat-box" renditions. He also spat rhymes "battled" through Break Dance and frequently attended what, at that time, were very obscure underground Punk, Hardcore, New Wave of British/Power and Thrash Metal concerts. 1983 - 1988 - By his sophomore year of high school, Bopa was obsessed with all Rock, Funk, Rap, Afro/Cuban, Post-Bop, Free, Fusion Jazz and Minimalism. He had been exposed to The Lower East Side Noise and San Francisco Art-Rock Scenes, as well as other Progressive-Experimental sounds first heard on W.K.C.R. 89.9 FM’s Transfigured Night, each weeknight from midnight till five A.M. All of this, no doubt, influenced Bopa’s "nervous" and often inappropriate tapping, which one day, was the cause of him being removed from class and sent to the school’s music instructor. That day, Bopa found his "Voice" and discovered his Drums. (drum set) 1986 – 1989 - His first (real) gig was playing drum set at THE BITTER END (NYC) for Power Pop Band, EM ZALE on November 3rd, 1986. He studied percussion with CLIFF HACKFORD, the late AL MILLER and PHIL WEISS. After many attempts at original Rock, Metal and Cover bands, Bopa lost interest in playing commercial music. Bopa then began experimenting with live drums, percussion, abstract sounds, pre-recorded media, visual effects and Phrenetic Organization. As a co-founder of FRONTAL LAMBADA, a Greenwich Village-based Improvisational Noise/Jazz/Rock/Funk/Spoken Word - Performance Art Duo (sometimes performing with a guest), Bopa collaborated with New York talents like DANIEL CARTER and MORLEY. Bopa still says that this was the period of his most profound musical development. (drum set, all percussion and sounds) 1988 - 1989 - Under the instruction of JIM DROST and MARK HOLLUB, Bopa marched second bass in the drum line for the SOUND OF LONG ISLAND DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS. In “REELINâ€, a sitcom pilot by John Blenn, Bopa was cast as ELTON. For GOOD TIMES magazine’s ALL THAT JAZZ column, Bopa attended and reviewed live performances of his musical heroes. (marching bass drum) 1991 –1993 - Bopa was a co-writer and the drummer for ABSOLUT DRAMA (Funk/Rock/Pop band), which took first place out of the 187 bands at the First Annual LONG ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL. They headlined shows, as well as opened for nationals regularly all over New York and the East Coast. They were produced by RANDY JACKSON of ZEBRA and managed by the late, YVETTE GRUBMAN for Powerhouse Entertainment. (drum set, percussion) 1993 - 2008 - Performed with several party planners and every NY entertainment company including but not limited to, ABSOLUTE ENTERTAINMENT, DIGITAL SOUL EVENTS, DOUBLE G, D.J.U, EJ THE DJ, ENTERTAINMENT TONITE, FANTASY, HART 2 HART, M.M.E, ON THE MOVE, PARTY HARTY, RICHIE HART ENTERPRISES, STEVEN SCOTT ORCHESTRAS, TOMMY’S TUNES. (bongo, timbale and sometimes conga) 1994 - Bopa Starred as, “Grez, the Master of Flagellants, †in the Southampton Players Production of Peter Barnes' "Red Noses", directed by Jon Frasier. 1995 – Bopa performed at CARNEGIE HALL for the PUTOMAYO RECORDS “SHELTER†benefit, accompanied by artists ALEXANDER BERNARD and MANAZART, which was broadcast on NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO’s “World Caféâ€. (conga percussion) 1995 – 1996 - Every Sunday morning Bopa fell in love with House Music at The Tunnel in Manhattan with then super DJ, Junior Vasquez, while maintaining a high grade-point average and honor roll at L.I.U. Southampton Campus. 1995 – 1998 – Co-founder of SHOCKSHINE, a Dub, Reggae, Rock and Dance band. Co-wrote LPs, ‘WORLDS AWAY, ’ and, ‘LIVE AT CBGB.’ He opened for many internationals like BURNING SPEAR, FREDDIE MACGREGOR, JIMMY CLIFF, STEELE PULSE, TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS, YELLOWMAN. (drum set) 1996 – 1997 - Traveled the 1st Comparative Religion and Culture Program for Friends World College. Bopa studied the music, religions and cultures of Japan, Thailand, India, Nepal, Egypt and Israel/Palestine. He studied Mridangum percussion with MASTER M. VASUDEVA RAO, Bangalore, India. (percussion) 1998 - 1999 - Resident percussionist at SOUND FACTORY - SUNDAY MORNINGS with DJ JONATHAN PETERS. (conga, bongo, timbale, caxixi) 1998 – 2000 - Co-designed Afro–Cuban Percussion Learning Curriculum with L.I.U. professor Mark Fasanella. Bopa also taught many subjects including math, social studies, English, music and history to students from pre-K to tenth grade at THE HAMPTON DAY SCHOOL, Bridgehampton N.Y. (conga, bongo, timbale, clave, guiro, maraca, shakers) 1998 - 2005 - Bopa taught drum set and Latin percussion in private lessons, workshops, drum circles all over New York. 1999 - 2005 - Studied and practiced Pranic Healing, Arhatic Yoga, Tantra, Zen Meditation, Live Food Cuisine, Nutritional Counseling and the Mystery Sciences. He penned the YEP 'YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM.' This curriculum was developed during his teaching experience. 2002 – 2005 – Co-founded WATASKA MEDIA GROUP, birthing MUSOQ PACHA MASSIVE, which organized and performed benefits for the Casa de Milagros, children's community in Peru. Performances took place in Peru, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Recorded and performed in Ollantaytambo, Cuzco and Lima, Peru with SHIMSHAI, CIRCO TRIBAL, AMARU PUMAC QUNTUR, and others. Also co-formed WOVEN MEDIA. (drum set, conga, bongo, timbale) 2003 – 2004 - Penned ‘THE RAW PERCUSSIONIST’ drum column, discussing metaphysical principals and all other things percussion for INSIDE CONNECTION magazine. 2004 - Bopa and members of NUBLU band LOTUS 9 appeared on, ‘Gov Love, ’ the 333rd episode of T.V. drama, "LAW & ORDER". 1993 to present - DJ List DJ DANNY TENAGLIA DJ ASTRO and GLYDE (NY) DJ CLEVELAND SKYERS (Sound Factory NYC) DJ IVANO BELLINI (Miami) DJ JASON JINX ZAMBITO (NY) DJ JOE VELEZ (NYC) DJ J SEVEN DJ JASON OJEDA (NY) DJ JUSTIN MICHAELS (NY) DJ JAMES AYALON (Israel) DJ JEROME FARLEY (NY/ Barcelona) DJ JUSTIN TIME (NY) DJ JASON E (Philly) DJ JIMMY B (Deep Fried Ireland) DJ KEITH ANDREWS (NY) DJ JONATHAN PETERS (Sound Factory) DJ BUDDY (Ireland) CROOKLYN CLAN (Hip Hop Mash Ups NY) DJ ALEX A LOT (Tantra /Belly House) DJ CHRIS COX (Thunder Puss) DJ CUT SUPREME(Trimixx Show 90.3FM) DJ ANTHONY ROSSI (NY) DJ CHRISTIAN SCOTT (NY) DJ DAN BARNES (NY) DJ ASH (Latin NY) DJ CLEVELAND (NY) DJ DON Q (La Fiesta 98.5 NY) DJ DUSKO REMY JUSTIC (Feel Different NY) DJ DS SIMBA (UK) DJ FRANKIE C (Deep Soul NY) DJ FABIAN ALSULTANY (Putumayo / Globe Sonic) DJ GABOR and DJ CANDYMAN (Hungary) DJ GEO ROCK (Miami) DJ/ MC GOGO (Neptune’s) DJ HADJ (Freak Factory) DJ ISRAEL (NY) DJ KEITH LITMAN (NY) DJ LEON CORONOS (NY) DJ LOBO (La Mega) DJ LOKI (NY) DJ MAC GUIVER (NY) DJ MANIC (NY) DJ MARK LEVENTHAL (Miami) DJ MATT HAMBURG DJ MICHAELANGELO DJ MIKE ALBA (Philly) DJ MIKE DIRECT (NY) DJ MIKE IVY (NY) DJ MIKE NEGRON (NY) DJ MIKEY RAVE (NY) DJ MIKE SARKUS (Kapa) DJ MIMIC (NY) DJ MOTIV (D-n-B Breaks, NY) DJ MOTOMO (NY) DJ PAULIE DAY (Philly) DJ PAUL NICE (NY) DJ PETE LOPEZ (NJ) DJ PETE RIBAU (NY) DJ PRIDE (Miami) DJ RANDALL (Hungary) DJ RAZOR (NY) DJ RICH LUVV (NY) DJ ROB JAMES (NY) DJ ROB LEE (Philly) DJ SEAN NASH (Deep Fried - Ireland) DJ SEVEN (Finland) DJ SHARAD (Bangra/Hip Hop) DJ SHAWN INK (Bklyn) DJ SHELDON ROMERO (Miami) DJ SOUL SALAAM (San Francisco) DJ SOUL STAR (NY) DJ STEVE NOLFI (Philly) DJ TERRY FRANCIS (UK) DJ TIM LEARY (NY) DJ TONY DRAPER (Bklyn) DJ TOMMY BOY (Hungary) DJ TOMMYBOY (Philly) DJ THEO (Neptune’s - Party 105) DJ TOM LAROC (Miami) DJ MIKE WHITMORE (NYC) 1992 to present – ARTIST LIST ABBEY CAHN ABSOLUT DRAMA (Funk/ Rock) ADAM JOSEPH (Singer/ Producer) AKIM FUNK BUDDHA (Hip Hop/ Roots) ALAN SEMERDJIAN (Indy) ARI GOLD (Pop Singer) BAD APPLE (Rock) BAGA BAE featuring AMADOU CAMARA (Guinea) BODY TEMPLE (Performance Art Troupe) BRIAN K. PARKS (Roots) CADENZA (Jazz, Afro Beat, Funk NEPAL) COBY KOEHL (R&B Singer) CREEK (Rock) CHRIS WELCOME (cello) DANIEL CARTER (Free Jazz Reeds) DAVID WYNNE (Jazz Keys) DANA RAYNE (House Singer) DELIBERATE CREATION CIRCLE (Percussion) DIET KONG (Indy Art) DIGITAL SOUL (Live House Music Band) DIVA ROACH (Live House Music Band) DOLLAMAN (Dance Hall/ Bob Sinclair) DOUG STEGMEYER (Billy Joel) DR. DAVID JUBB (Roots) EARTH EATZ DOG (Rock) ED CHANG (Jazz) ENRICO OLIVA (Free Jazz Sax) EUROPA (World) FRAIDY CAT (Hair Band) GARY JIBILLIAN (N.S. Stick) GENE JANAS (Jazz, Bass) GEORGE LAMOND (Freestyle Singer) GRAY (Violin / Composer) GUITAR CENTER ALL STARS (Blues) HANNES DE KASSIAN Guitar / Composer) HATE THE RACE (Hip Hop, Metal) HIMALAYAS MARCHING BAND (Jazz Experimental) MC JAMALSKI (Columbia records) JASON WALKER (Junior Vasquez Music) JAN PAXTON JEFFREY HAYDEN SHURDUT (Ayler Records) JIM KOHLER (Blues) JUDY TORRES (Freestyle Singer) KARMA DOG (Poet) KELLY KING (Pop Singer) KIM ENGLISH (Nervous Records) KIM SOZZI (House Singer) KOLLAGE (R&B, Neo Soul, House) LAURIE JO CHAPMAN (Singer Songwriter) LOTUS 9 (Trance, Dub, Jazz, Samba) LUTHER THOMAS (Human Arts Ensemble) MARK MENDOZA (Twisted Sister) MARIO RECHTERN (Vienna, Sonny Murray, Sax) MILQUETOAST (Indy) MORLEY (Roots Singer) MOTHER FREEDOM (Rock, Soul, Jam) MYSTEREOSO (Dub/ Jazz Rock) MYSTIC FAMILY CIRCUS (Roots) ON KA DAVIS (Sun Ra Arkestra, Don Ayler) ONE DROP (Roots Reggae) PAUL WEISS BAND (Blues/ Rock) PARAMITA SOUND SYSTEM (Dub experimental) PEACE PROCESS (Eastern, Trance, Metal) RABID CONVULSIONS (Power/ Thrash Metal) RANDY BORRA (Jazz Sax) RENEE STAKEY (Singer) ROBBIE (UB40 Singer) RUEBEN JAMES (Folk) THOM ‘SASQUATCH’ KARCHER (Chapman Stick) TOM CHESS (Multi-Instrumentalist) TONY KHALIFE Guitar/ Tabla) THREAD (Rock) SAUDI AMERICA (Grind Core) SAZON (Reggae) SCOTT HUCKABAY (Roots) SHAYNA DULBERGER (Jazz Classical /bass) SHIMSHAI (Roots) SOL-Y-MAR (Latin Jazz and Afro Brazilian) SHOCKSHINE (Dub, Reggae, Rock) SNEHASISH MODZUMER (Indian Classical Mandolin) SOILENT GREEN (Goth, Sludge, Metal) SOUND OF LONG ISLAND (Drum and Bugle Corp) SOM (Indian Fusion Acoustic) SOM IN TRANCE (Indian Fusion Electric) STEVE BOOKE (Roots Guitar) SUCK IT EASY (Jam) THE OTHERS (Funk, Soul, Jam) TINA MALINA (Roots Singer) TOMMY ANTON TONY KHALIFE (Guitar/ Tabla) TROOP 47 (Rock Jam) U.F.F/ STRATOSPHERE (Free Improvisational) WELF DORR (Jazz, Reeds) WINSTON IRIE (Roots Reggae) MAAKU (Roots Multi-Instrumentalist) MISS PEPPERMINT (Singer) 1994 to present - VENUES LIST 111 MINNA (San Francisco CA) ALIGATOR LOUNGE (Breckinridge CO) ASSETERIA @ SHOW & ARENA (NYC) AVALON ‘Limelight’ (NYC) C.P.I. (Hampton Bays NY) STEPHEN TALKHOUSE (Amagansett NY) EXIT (NYC) BILLBOARD LIVE (Miami SoBe) BLUE NOTE (Thamel Nepal) BOSTON’S (Tempe AZ) BUCKLEY'S (Frisco CO) CARNEGIE HALL (NYC) CHINA CLUB (both locations NYC) THE CLEVELANDER (Miami SoBe) COMBUSTIVE ARTS (718 SESSIONS)(BKLYN NY) DOWN UNDER (Dillon CO) GALAXY (Westhampton NY) GUSTAVINOS (NYC) LEOPARD LOUNGE (NYC) LIMELIGHT (NYC) WEBSTER HALL (NYC) HISTORIC LIGHTSHIP FRYING PAN (NYC) HOLLYWOOD ALLEY (Mesa AZ) KNITTING FACTORY (both locations NYC) HOWLING WOLF (Aspen CO) JET LOUNGE (NYC and Hamptons) LA SUPERICA (Sag Harbor NY) MANDELA’S BAR (Cusco Peru) NV (East Hampton NY) NEPTUNE'S BEACH CLUB (Hampton Bays NY) NUBLU (NYC) ORAGIN (NY) OUT OF BOUNDS (Keystone CO) PINK ELEPHANT (Southampton NY) POSH – GARDEN CITY HOTEL (NY) RITUAL @ CLUB 2686 (NY) ROADHOUSE (Thamel Nepal) ROSELAND BALLROOM (NYC) SAVANNAHS LOUNGE (NY) SLADES (Winter Park CO) SPLASH BAR (NYC) STATIC (Scottsdale AZ) THE ELDO (Crested Butte CO) THE GOAT (Keystone CO) THE SHELBORNE (Miami SoBe) THE WHISKEY (Hollywood CA) TOP DOG (Philly PA) TREES (Deep Ellum TX) VIPER ROOM (Hollywood CA) WESTBURY MUSIC FAIR, (NY) OHEIKA CASTLE (NY) THE GATOR (CO) LIFE (NYC) ELBO ROOM (CA) BARBES (Bklyn) WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK (NYC) ASHER LEVY PARK (Bklyn) MERCURY LOUNGE (NYC) 1988 to present – DISCOGRAPHY 1988 – 1990 - COLOR BLIND SOUNDS, FRONTAL LAMBADA, several live and studio sessions. (drum set, percussion, abstract sounds, pre-recorded media, frenetic organization) 1991 – DEPACE PRODUCTIONS, ABSOLUT DRAMA, "BOMB IN THE POCKET, " Randy Jackson 3 Song Demonstration (drum set) 1992 - DEPACE PRODUCTIONS (NY), ABSOLUT DRAMA, "SHE BRINGS ME HOME, " Randy Jackson 3 Song Demonstration (drum set, bongo, percussion) 1993 - DEPACE PRODUCTIONS (NY), ABSOLUT DRAMA, “SUCCUBUS, †Randy Jackson, 3 Song Demonstration (drum set) 1993 - (INDY) SUMMERS EVE, “Time for Change, †(punk classic) E.P. (drum set) 1996 - CREATION LABEL (NY), SHOCKSHINE “Worlds Away†Album. (drum set) 1998 - CREATION LABEL (NY), SHOCKSHINE “LIVE At CBGB†Album. (drum set) 2000 - DEEPER REKORDS, (NYC) JON SECADA’S, “STOP, †JONATHAN PETERS. Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2001 - TOMMY BOY RECORDS, SWORDFISH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK, PAUL OAKENFOLD presents AFRIKA BAMBAATAA and The Soul Sonic Force. “PLANET ROCK†remixes: Litman /Cox Club Mix and TRIBAL INFUSION DUB produced by CHRIS COX of THUNDERPUSS and KEITH LITMAN. Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2003 - SONIC ALCHEMYST (Oregon), SCOTT HUCKABAY, ‘TEMPLE OF DENDARA, ’ CD featuring BOPA KING CARRE, FREEDOM and MARTIN HOLLAND. Album (drum set, bongo) 2004 - WOVEN MEDIA WORLDWIDE (BALI), UNCOOKED THE MOVIE Soundtrack BRIAN K. PARK’S, ‘LET THE PLANTS GROW, ’ (drum set) 2005 - KINKI MALINKI RECORDINGS, (London) SOULAJA, “LOVE IS BETTER, †FRANKIE C. Composition/ Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2005 - SLIPNSLIDE RECORDS, (Miami) SOUL AND JAZZ IN THE HOUSE VOL. 1, SOULAJA, “LOVE IS BETTER, †(conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2007 - (INDY) STEELING JANE, "SAY SOMETHING" Album (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2007 - AYLER RECORDS (SWEDEN). JEFFERY HAYEN SHURDUT, "HUMANITY." Album (drumset, bongo, bells, sounds) 2008 - AYLER RECORDS (SWEDEN). JEFFERY HAYDEN SHURDUT, “NEW TEXT.†Album. (drumset, bongo, bells, sounds) 2008 - SOULFURIC RECORDS, (NYC). BOBBY D’ AMBROSIO “OPIMISTIC†FRANKIE C Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2008 - DEFECTED RECORDS, (London). CONNECTED, 15 YEARS OF GARAGE CITY “OPTIMISTIC†FRANKIE C Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2008 - SOUL SHINE RECORDS, (NYC). BOBBY D’ AMBROSISO/ MICHAEL ST. AERIS “GIRL YOU NEED A CHANGE OF MIND†FRANKIE C Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) 2008 - U-PHONIC RECORDS (NY), JOCELYN BROWN, “Mind Buster†FRANKIE C Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) UPCOMING RELEASES; BOPA KING CARRE, “IS STEREO, †JEROME FARLEY/MAURO LUCERO, Bad Assed Barcelona Tribal Mix. Composition/Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion) APOLLO, ‘HYBRID INFAMOUS, ’ Hip Hop Version 'Quantum of Solace' Trailer. Mike Wittzer ('from the credits' - percussionist and kick ass drum guru) BOPA KING CARRE, "NON PHYSICAL FRIENDS, " House Mix. Composition/ Remix (conga, bongo, timbale, percussion)
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