Copus

Artist Information

Biography

COPUS is a world music band that combines powerful poetics with lyrical melodies and strong beats.


HIGHLIGHTS ...

• Composer/pianist WENDY LOOMIS has received the ASCAP award for composition for the past 2 years. Wendy Loomis earned her master's degree from Syracuse University, her bachelor's degree from Denison University.

• In 2008 COPUS performed at the Sweet Auburn Springfest in Atlanta where thousands of attendees gather in the streets for great music and poetry.

• Other highlights from 2008 include the collaboration with the gospel choir at the Phillips CME Temple in Berkeley, the worldwide webcast (see footage on Video Page) featuring guest artist singer Barbara Jaspersen, and the 'Art for Art's Sake' multimedia show in the Trinity Chamber Arts series.

• In September 2007 COPUS premiered 'The Elements - A World Rhythm Jazz Opera' featuring music, spoken word, dance, and video as part of the Unite Africa Now worldwide festival.

• In 2006 COPUS was a semi-finalist in the Emergenza international band competition. Started 15 years ago in Italy, Emergenza is a festival that promotes the ‘greatest unsigned bands in the world’.

• Poet ROYAL KENT has opened for musical luminaries PETER TOSH, STEEL PULSE, THE WAILERS and TOOTS + THE MAYTALS.

• Flutist MONICA WILLIAMS is a graduate of Eastman School of Music and has performed with orchestras in Chicago, Rochester, and Cincinnati.

• Percussionist RICK CAMPBELL recently joined COPUS - bringing his extensive performing and recording experience in the U.S. and France to the table. He toured with The Funkanauts, The Motivators, Native Elements, and the George Coates Ensemble, to name a few.

• Bass player PATRICK MAHON is primarily self-taught. His influences include Charles Mingus, Les Claypool, and Marcus Miller. Patrick has performed and recorded with COPUS since 2007.

• COPUS has played festivals, colleges, theatres, art galleries, clubs in San Francisco, London, Los Angeles, and Nashville.

• Debut CD, ‘Later Than You Think’, was nominated for Spoken Word Album of the Year by MusicDish.com writer Michael Allison (see Press page).

• Six websites draw thousands of hits per month from over 60 countries: www.copusmusic.com, www.copusmusic.net , www.sonicbids.com/copus , www.myspace.com/copusmusic , www.youtube.com/copusmultimedia, www.cafepress.com/copusmusic and www.wendyloomis.com.

• COPUS produced “Poets + Composers”, an original Internet radio show featuring interviews with and live performances by Bay Area artists, was ‘aired’ at artistfirst.com and drew in listeners from around the world. Podcasts can be heard on the COPUS website.

• COPUS has led numerous workshops at high schools, universities, and nonprofit programs in the writing of poetry with music.

Instrumentation

Wendy Loomis - keyboards, Piano, composer
Patrick Mahon - Bass
Royal Kent - poet, Spoken Word Artist
Monica Williams - flutes
Omar Clark Taylor - Percussion

Discography

CDs RELEASED: 'Jah Provide' (trilogy)
'The Fool' (single)
'Later Than You Think' (debut CD)
CDs and individual song downloads available at CopusMusic.com and iTunes.com.

Links

• Music Catalog
• YouTube

Audio

• Walkin' (blues)
  Listen   Download
• Jah Provide (world/reggae)
  Listen   Download
• Later Than You Think (electronica)
  Listen   Download
• Solomon Lock (world rhythm)
  Listen   Download
• The Fool (new classical)
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Walkin'
• The Fool

Video

Jah Provide

Photo Gallery

Press

• COPUS [+ Show ]
  

  by Colin McKay (12/04) COPUS: This San Francisco-based group talks about their "Millennium Musi...by Colin McKay (12/04)
  
  
  COPUS: This San Francisco-based group talks about their "Millennium Music"
  
  
  What is COPUS? Who is COPUS?
  
  Well, let me tell you. COPUS (C is for century and Opus, a musical or literary work of magnitude) is the brainchild of Royal Kent, poet and spoken word artist and Wendy Loomis, pianist, composer and musical director. Together they have created what they have dubbed "Millennium Music" by combining the musical and literary arts in a brave new way.
  
  In speaking with Royal and Wendy, from San Francisco, I learned what their music and vision means to them and how they go about it in the day to day.
  
  World Rhythm: Is the melding of different genres your main concept of "millennium music"?
  
  Wendy: We combine spoken word with jazz and classical leanings and percussive grooves. COPUS is an anagram for Creators of Peace Under the Stars. It is all about a positive view and mindset.
  
  WR: Does COPUS always perform as a set ensemble or is it more of a collective?
  
  Royal: There are usually 6 people, with instruments such as flute, cello and percussion, however, it is based around Wendy and myself and our vision of the group.
  
  WR: Royal, what was your introduction to poetry? Was it through a scholarly fashion or more street?
  
  Royal: I would say both. Mainly, I was always attracted to the rhythm and delivery of people speaking. The multitude of ways to express. To me actually presenting the work in an oratorical manner is very different from pen and paper: More spontaneous, dynamic and in the moment!
  
  WR: What does Poetry and music mean to you and how do you see it helping or nourishing the world?
  
  Royal: When done well the combination of strong, beautiful poetry and music has always been very powerful - Ira and George Gershwin, Lennon and McCartney, Rodgers and Hammerstein. The words give textural shapes and colors to the music and vice versa – a symbiotic relationship is created. One audience member told us after a COPUS performance that our words and music “fit together like a hand in a glove”. The sophistication of our words and music stimulates thoughts, dreams, and aspirations, while simultaneously entertaining the listener. I think that people today around the world are very much in need of this kind of liquid beauty – pointing the way away from the violence, economic struggles, and political conniving and toward the heavens above, toward our higher selves.
  
  WR: What are some of the ways you promote COPUS?
  
  Wendy: We advertise in the traditional manner with Weeklies and posters for our live performances and recordings. But the Internet has been great for us as well. We recently celebrated our one-year anniversary of "Poets and Composers", a monthly Internet radio special with Artist First. They have listenership of 250,000 24/7 and our show has been a big hit with listeners all over the word! Plus it links to our website. It broadcasts every second Friday of the month at 11 PM at www.artistfirst.com
  
  WR: Your label and your radio show; in your opinion what’s going to make it unique and how will it help the up and coming artist?
  
  Royal: COPUS Music as an independent label brings together great living, contemporary poets and composers to form a label of excellence, style, and sophistication. We are committed to release new content of “rhythm and words” which is rap without violence, hip-hop with a degree, jazz with lyrics, classical with a beat. For the up and coming independent artist, it is an opportunity to promote not only his/her creations, but also through the interview provides an opportunity for the audience to get to know the artist a little bit personally. This generates interest, attracts listeners to websites, sells CDs, and simultaneously encourages other young artists of talent to pursue their dreams.
  
  WR: The COPUS anagram that you mentioned how does that philosophy come to life?
  
  Wendy: In addition to our positive music and collective group mentality we are involved in a variety of educational and cultural programs in the Bay area. We work with the McCaully Institute, a non-profit center that works with at-risk-teens, exposing them to music. Expression is a very powerful and useful thing. We have done workshops with seniors groups using rhythm and dance. It is all just part of our creative philosophy!
  
  WR: That's great! I thank for you taking the time out to talk about what it is you do.
  
  R & W: It has been our pleasure.
  
  Check out www.copus.net for more about the group and tune in to www.artistfirst.com for the radio show.
  
  
  

• COPUS - Later Than You Think [+ Show ]
  

  by Michael Allison (12/01) Copus is a musical group with some of the most talented musicians that...by Michael Allison (12/01)
  
  Copus is a musical group with some of the most talented musicians that I have yet come across. The music is a mixture of Spoken Word, jazz, a touch of blues and a hint of classical styles. This music is a little difficult to compare to anyone else because I have never really heard anyone like this group. The jazz styles are very complex and the music that is created is absolutely masterful. These compositions are amazing with just the music, but then you get the added pleasure of the smooth spoken word vocal styles of Royal Kent. His poetic onslaught of powerful lyrics are mind boggling, to say the least. His silky smooth voice holds a tight grip on the listener's ear and keeps them in a state of mind numbing ecstasy.
  
  The musical virtuosity of the members in this group is absolutely amazing. Having this much talent in one band should be a crime. The music develops into a sort of scenic painting in your mind as it is played. The warmth and soul of the musicians is almost seamlessly produced throughout the entire album. This is musicianship and songwriting at its best. I don't have to tell you how impressed I am at the talent and musical excellence that is portrayed here. This is new music for the new millennium. I also recommend this be one of the first choices for Spoken Word Album of the Year.
  
  Personal Notes:
  
  I never considered myself a fan of spoken word styles of jazz. Although I have always been a jazz fan, the spoken word aspect was never one of my favorites. This band has definitely changed that perspective. I was surprised at how much I liked this music. There is something about it that makes me want to hear it more. I'm not sure if it's the music or the lyrics or the vocals. I only know that it's there and it is definitely alluring. It is my belief that this music could be legendary if given the opportunity to thrive. I've heard the buzz about this style, but never thought much of it until I heard the music. Now you need to hear it, whoever YOU are. The worst that could happen is that you broaden your horizons and find yourself really loving a style of music that you might not have known about before. If you are already one of those who like the spoken word style, then this is a group well worth checking out. This is one band that I am really happy to have as a part of my music community.
  

• From San Francisco group COPUS ... [+ Show ]
  

  by Tom Kidd (12/00) From San Francisco group COPUS comes one of the most intriguing, challenging,...by Tom Kidd (12/00)
  
  From San Francisco group COPUS comes one of the most intriguing, challenging, and ultimately satisfying albums of the year. The core of the group is composer, musical director and co-producer Wendy Loomis and Royal Kent, poet and co-producer. Together, they produce music that is part jazz, part classical, cerebral and sexy. Think of Copus as the love child of Jack Kerouac and Grace Jones.
  
  For more details contact Loomis at Copus Music, LLC - 415-289-2097.
  

• After meeting at an open mic ... [+ Show ]
  

  by Cheryl Eddy (5/02) After meeting at an open mic event six years ago, poet Royal Kent and compo...by Cheryl Eddy (5/02)
  
  After meeting at an open mic event six years ago, poet Royal Kent and composer Wendy Loomis pooled their talents and formed Copus, a group that fuses spoken word with the members' own brand of millennium music (a mix of classical, world, blues, jazz, and other genres). This freethinking approach to the creative process makes Copus - now a full-fledged band with flute, drums, stand up bass, and other instruments - perfect as host of 'Language: The Journey to World Peace'."

Setlist

Copus performs all original compositions. Some of the titles are: Later Than You Think; Haves Have; Journey. A typical set is 50 minutes (approximately 9 songs).

Basic Requirements

Calendar