Gayle Chapman, singer-songwriter, recording artist, keyboardist and guitar player extraordinaire has wowed audiences as one of Prince’s first professional band mates, performed on a variety of television and radio shows and collaborated with a number of acclaimed musicians.
Early Inspirations: Prince, Mountain Stage and Contemporary Jazz
As early music inspirations go, Chapman, a little bit of Patti Larkin mixed in with a spot of Bonnie Raitt and the Indigo Girls, counts the Yellowjackets, Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell, George Duke and Ten Wheel Drive, as perhaps her most significant; a diverse selection of influences, indeed.
Chapman’s professional credits are impressive, to say the least. She was hired to play keyboards and sing backup for Prince in 1978; produced a collection of compositions in 1989 called Standard Laments; performed on the long running Mountain Stage, the award winning public radio program; and recorded as one half of the duo Black Diamond including the noteworthy album, Change of Direction. Chapman then released a self-titled CD in 2003 plus the song, “Love Theme,” followed by “H2O” in 2005, which she co-wrote with jazz powerhouse, Morris Pleasure.
California born and Minneapolis grown, Gayle Chapman is currently working with singer Sue Leonard on new material. Suite101 caught up with the artist for a telephone interview from her current home in Boise, Idaho.
Gayle Chapman Interview: Prince, the Song Duo Black Diamond and Acoustic Finger-Picking
Suite101: You were one of Prince’s first professional band mates, playing keyboards and singing backup vocals. How did you first meet Prince?
Gayle Chapman: Well, I auditioned after I met Prince’s cousin who was also a musician. I didn’t know at the time he was his cousin. I borrowed Prince’s music and while listening to it alone in my house in North Minneapolis, I really got revved up. It was so loud. While I was listening, this still voice said he’s gonna need a band, which I told my friend who turned out to be Prince’s cousin. I asked why he didn’t tell me sooner.
Suite101: When did you meet Prince?
G C: I met Prince soon after that. I auditioned, jammed and just left. Later on, three months to the day, Prince called me. He asked what I was doing and if I wanted to come to rehearsal. I said yeah. I rehearsed with some songs, a funky tune, too. They laid this groove on me and I laid one on them. I got the job.
Suite101: You are also an amazing acoustic guitar player. Sometimes you finger-pick - is that Travis style?
G C: Thanks. I do play with a full set of finger picks, but more of a Leo Kotke style. It’s kind of a combination with familiar bass chord patterns, Travis and a little bit of something else.
Suite101: Do you play in both standard and open tunings?
G C: Yes, I’ll use open tunings as well as standard, anything that makes you a better player. That’s what I tell my students.
Suite101: As part of the duo Black Diamond, with Jan Skurzynski, you performed on the long running show Mountain Stage. How did that come about?
G C: I might be incorrect about this but I think there were between 35 and 102 audition contestants that tried out and we won, we got picked.
Suite101: Did you have a good time being in Black Diamond?
G C: Oh yes. We had a CD out and we did a lot of playing, like in summer folk festivals and we opened for the Sweethearts of the Rodeo and Patti Larkin. We played together for seven years but Jan was also an engineer who went to work for HP which took her all over. That’s when I started playing solo.
Suite101: You co-penned the contemporary jazz song, “H2O” with Morris Pleasure, released on the Alliance/Watersign label. What led to writing that song?
G C: Even though I did folk music I was involved in other areas. Mo came out and started listening when I was playing in the Flim Flam 4. We got together and he asked if I’d like to work with him. He then sent me “H2O” to work on. I thought it was a water theme, so I did the work and sent it back. He loved it. He asked what we should call it and I said just what it is, “H2O.” Mo was great.
Suite101: Do you compose at the piano or with the acoustic guitar?
G C: Both, but it’s mostly mood oriented. I can sit at the piano and I’ll get inspired. I come up with a melody or a groove. Over the years you build up a well of musical ideas. It’s a decision that just comes out. If I have a lyrical concept to write I’ll make mental notes of it and then pen it out on the guitar.
Suite101: You recently worked with other musicians, Sandy Sanford and Sue Leonard.
G C: I worked with Sandy for four and a half years, but less at this point. He’s a terrific blues player and getting busy with his own stuff right now. Sue Leonard and I are writing and getting ready to do our first recording. It’s not a finished recording, just the basic structure. We don’t have a working title. I think we have enough songs ready for a CD though.
Keyboards and guitar, folk, jazz or funk, veteran singer–song writer Gayle Chapman has been there and done that when it comes to having a remarkable music career. Check out the artistry and technique of Chapman online and don’t forget to watch for her soon-to-be-released collaboration with Sue Leonard.
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