Band Spotlight: COPUS

COPUS is a world beat ensemble that presents conscious lyrics and beautiful melodies for the intelligent listener. Formed by poet Royal Kent and composer Wendy Loomis in 1998, the group has performed at clubs, theaters, and festivals in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Atlanta, and are scheduled to perform in Boston and at the WordxWord Festival in Western Massachusetts August 2009. The group has released CD “Later Than You Think”, single ‘The Fool”, trilogy “Jah Provide” and is currently working on their next full-length recording. “COPUS could become legendary if given the opportunity to thrive!” -Michael Allison, MusicDish.com

ROYAL KENT’s love of poetry goes back several decades. Originally inspired by the legendary Last Poets, he has performed with dancers, theatrical troupes, poets, and many bands including the Vancouver-based Band of Angels and Czech Republic-based Pseudo Pseudo. He has produced television, radio and stage shows, and is the co-founder of independent label Copus Music. As poet MC he has opened major reggae concerts for Peter Tosh, Toots & the Maytals, and The Wailers. Kira Njinsky, daughter of the great Russian ballet star Njinksy, said: “Royal Kent recites poetry the way my grandfather danced!”

Composer/pianist WENDY LOOMIS has released 7 CDs of her compositions for COPUS, acoustic ensemble Phoenix Rising, as well as solo piano works. She won the ASCAPlus award for composition for the past 2 years, was a finalist in the Unisong International Songwriting competition, has had her commissioned works performed by flute ensembles, and is currently writing music for film. Wendy earned her bachelor’s degree in Creative Arts and her master’s degree in Arts Education. She is the co-founder and president of Copus Music LLC and teaches private piano at her San Francisco studio.

Flutist MONICA WILLIAMS is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and has studied with several esteemed flutists such as Bonita Boyd, Susan Levitin, and Brad Garner. She has performed with orchestras in Chicago, Rochester, and Cincinnati and has toured Europe and the United States. In addition to COPUS, Monica is a member of Phoenix Rising with Wendy; their 2 CDs, ‘Whispers’ and ‘Ascension’ , have been receiving critical acclaim including the latter being nominated for ‘best acoustic album of the year’. Monica is the director of Flock of Flutes and teaches private flute at Civic Arts Center of Walnut Creek and her home studio in San Francisco.

Bassist PATRICK MAHON was born and raised in San Francisco. Patrick studied jazz with Tony P. Miller, but he is primarily self-taught – giving him a creative facility and an eager ear for new ways of expression, including most recently using an unusual bowing technique on the electric bass. He joined COPUS in 2007, played on the ‘Jah Provide’ trilogy, and has performed at many Bay Area gigs as well as at the Sweet Auburn Springfest in Atlanta. His influences include Charles Mingus, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, and Les Claypool. In addition to COPUS, Patrick has performed with bands Scaramanga, The Ambassadors, and Electric Color Wheel.

RICK CAMPBELL is a native San Franciscan who currently lives in Vallejo, California. He joined the marching band in high school and was part of a punk band called ‘Black Athletes’ and has been studying and performing percussion ever since. He has opened up for acts such as Dead Kennedys, Public Image Limited, Fishbone, and Romeo Void. He has toured Yugoslavia and Poland with the George Coates Performing Ensemble and has performed and recorded with Native Elements, the Funkanauts, and toured extensively in France with The Motivators. Rick plays timbales, congas, traps, and ‘all things percussion’; he joined COPUS in 2009.

COPUS to be LIVE! at Creative Arts Stage August 15 for two sets: 12-1:30 pm AND 5-6:00pm!