Horace Tapscott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horace Tapscott
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Tapscott in 1986
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Horace Elva Tapscott |
| Born | April 6, 1934 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 27, 1999 (aged 64) |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instruments | Piano, trombone |
| Years active | 1950s–1990s |
| Labels | Arabesque |
Horace Elva Tapscott (born April 6, 1934, died February 27, 1999) was an amazing American jazz musician. He played the piano and wrote music. He is best known for starting a special music group called the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra in 1961. People also called it P.A.P.A. or The Ark. He led this group for many years, all the way into the 1990s.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Horace Tapscott was born in Houston, Texas. When he was nine years old, his family moved to Los Angeles, California. Around this time, he started learning to play two instruments: the piano and the trombone. As a teenager, he was already playing music with other talented young musicians. Some of these included Frank Morgan, Don Cherry, and Billy Higgins.
Building a Musical Career
After serving in the Air Force for a short time, Horace returned to Los Angeles. He continued to play the trombone with different bands. He even played with the famous musician Lionel Hampton from 1959 to 1961. Soon after, Horace decided to focus mainly on playing the piano.
The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra
In 1961, Horace Tapscott created a very important music group called the Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. His main goal for this group was to keep, grow, and perform African-American music. This group was often called P.A.P.A. or The Ark.
Growing the Music Community
Horace's ideas grew bigger than just one music group. In 1963, he helped create a larger organization called the Underground Musicians Association (UGMA). This group later changed its name to the Union of God's Musicians and Artists Ascension (UGMAA). Many famous musicians played in Tapscott's Arkestra over the years. Some of these included Arthur Blythe, Stanley Crouch, Butch Morris, David Murray, and Nate Morgan.
Horace Tapscott's music and work are so important that the UCLA has a special collection of his jazz materials. In the 1970s and 1980s, fans of his music even started their own record labels, Interplay and Nimbus, just to release his recordings.
Horace Tapscott's Music
Horace Tapscott recorded many albums throughout his career. He released music as a leader, often with his own quintet or sextet. He also recorded with his Pan-Afrikan Peoples Arkestra. Sometimes, he played as a sideman, meaning he played with other artists' bands. He also wrote and arranged music for other musicians. His music is known for its unique sound and deep connection to African-American culture.
