THE TROUPERS

The Troupers are seasoned professional entertainers, collectively appearing on more than eighty CD’s and albums. From soft background jazz for your cocktail hour to the last note of your successful dance party, The Troupers will prove to you why they get rave reviews (“I’ve never danced so much before! Sounds just like the record!”). Stellar vocals, musicianship and delightful entertainment energy qualify The Troupers as a must for your event. Your organization deserves the best, so hire the professional entertainers that will be better than the food or the flowers

The Troupers:

Trouper Robin Carter - Lead and backing vocals, percussion, keyboards. Robin Carter is the fourth of seven siblings and born in Brooklyn, NY. She attended the Julliard School of music at age 16 and graduated from the Metropolitan School (MSA) for the Arts in Syracuse, New York. While at MSA, Robin studied with Michael Massner vocal coach to Diana Ross and Melba Moore. She has sung for the President of the United States, the Governor of North Carolina, and famed poet-laureate Maya Angelou. Robin toured Paris, London, and Switzerland (performing at the Montreaux Jazz Festival) with the Ira Wiggins Group. She has also performed with jazz great Tom Brown. She has appearing as a featured artist in concert with the North Carolina Symphony. Robin’s infectious stage presence delivers powerful performances equally to either soft jazz ballads or rockin’ Tina Turner R&B dance classics. Need a classical aria? Robin can deliver!

Trouper Steve Chall - Bass, guitar, percussion, lead & backing vocals. Steve Chall was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. At age 10, he started out on trumpet but he soon switched to French horn. He studied with Salvatore Piazza and while still in middle school played in a big band that performed publicly with Gene Krupa on drums. Upon moving to the Detroit area at the age of 17 he took up bass and guitar and he was soon playing clubs and concerts, performing with a list of musicians that has come to include Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Albert King, Blues Brother Matt "Guitar" Murphy, and members of AWB, Chic, and the Ray Charles Orchestra. He's also had considerable experience in the studio, recording albums with a number of acts including Connecticut's Eight to the Bar,North Carolina blues patriarch George Herbert Moore, and rock band Dollface in addition to lots of demos, singles, and radio and TV commercials. Steve is no stranger to controversy. While in a Boston-based band called the Brothers Z he wrote and recorded a satiric tune named "South Boston" that received enough airplay to generate some animosity among the locals. Prior to a concert performance at Boston's Orpheum Theatre the band received death threats, and during the show they were pelted by foodstuffs from the audience. When a pastrami sandwich landed near the keyboardist he complained, "What, no mayo?"

Trouper Pat Torain - Drums, percussion, & No.1 UNC Fan. Pat began playing at an early age, and and immediately loved all styles of music. His first professional appearances were with many funk bands and legendary R&B singer Archie Bell. Since then, Pat has worked with many gospel artists including FC Barnes, William Becton and a host of choirs, churches, and funk bands. Some of these bands are: Flash, Total Package, Lokashun, Bobby Hinton, Risse, Flex, Mike Jones Jazz Trio, Liquid Pleasure, Jeff Mandler and currently is the driving force behind The Troupers. Hear some of Pat’s studio work: Resounding Steel Drum Band, Charlie, Flash, and Jeff Mandler Project (volumes 1&2).

Trouper Johnny Hudson - Lead and backing vocals, percussion, keyboards.
From the tender age of three, Newark, New Jersey’s Johnny Hudson, Jr. was encouraged to exercise his vocal chords, singing background to his father’s “freedom” songs. In his teens, Johnny was lead singer for various bands that repeatedly won the Battle of the Bands in the Newark area. In 1989, Johnny and a former band mate, Mark White, wrote, produced, and recorded “Better Love” which remained No. 1 for seven weeks on the Independent charts in England. He was also under a recording contract with Kalais Bayaan - songwriter for Kool & the Gang. Moving to North Carolina in 1993, Johnny expanded his musical talents by becoming a recording engineer, vocal coach, and producer. Why have 20,000 women in Raleigh’s RBC Center screamed at the Luther Vandross tribute for the past two years? Because the Women’s Empowerment Extravaganza needed The Trouper’s Luther Vandross clone Johnny Hudson. Johnny’s silky vocals, engaging personality, and stellar duets with Trouper Robin Carter are just a few of the many reasons you will enjoy The Troupers fantastic male lead vocalist Johnny Hudson.

Trouper Alan Shiffman -guitars, backing vocals. Alan Shiffman has been a professional musician for over twenty years and has played all styles of music throughout the US. Being a guitarist with successful bands such as Mainstream, Badge, and The Soul Snatchers have honed Al’s skills. He has appeared on many CD’s and albums. He studied jazz guitar with Greg Hyslop and boy, does it show! His solid and professional stage presence and ever-present humor certainly contribute to The Trouper’s performances.

Trouper Bill Butler - Keyboards, guitars, backing vocals. Leader Bill Butler has been a professional musician for over 35 years, performing throughout the US and seven foreign countries. A studio musician and arranger, he plays many instruments in a wide variety of musical styles including Jazz, R&B, Popular, Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Folk. Bill studied classical piano for nine years, performed at the 1964 World’s Fair, appeared in concert with Stan Getz at age 16 (baritone horn), and played guitar with the ECU Jazz Ensemble. Bill was a founding member of sucessful bands Heartwood, Nightshift, and now The Troupers. He has performed in concert with musical artists including: Herbie Mann, Kirk Whalum, Steve Martin, The Four Tops, The Neville Brothers, Alex Bugnon, Nagi, Asleep At The Wheel, Jerry Jeff Walker, Boz Scaggs, Melissa Manchester, Hiram Bullock, Richard Elliot, Vassar Clemmons, Byron Berline, John Hartford, John Hammond Jr., Jim Stafford, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and David Allen Coe. He has been also performed with The Stanley Baird Group, The Tarwater Band (novelists Clyde Edgerton, Susan Ketchin, and Bill Henderson), Mainstream, and The Fabulous Shades. He also writes his own promos.

SONG LIST:

BLUES

Delbert McClinton - Every Time I Roll The Dice
Delbert McClinton - Maybe Someday Baby
Delbert McClinton - Shaky Ground
Delbert McClinton - Teeny Weenie Bit

JAZZ STANDARDS

Antonio Carlos Jobim - Desafinado
Antonio Carlos Jobim - Girl From Ipanema
Antonio Carlos Jobim - One Night Samba
Billie Holiday - God Bless This Child
Billie Holiday - Good Morning Heartache
Cole Porter - Ain't Misbehavin
Cole Porter - Autumn Leaves
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
Diana Krall - The Nearness Of You
Duke Ellington - Don't Get Around Anymore
Duke Ellington - Satin Doll
Duke Ellington - Take the A Train
Ella Fitzgerald - All the Things You Are
Ella Fitzgerald - Night And Day
Errol Garner - Misty
Etta James - At Last
Frank Sinatra - Fly Me To The Moon
George Greshwin - It Don't Mean A Thing
George Greshwin - Summertime
Harry Connick, Jr. - It Had To Be You
Miles Davis - All Blues
Nancy Wilson - My Funny Valentine
Nina Simone - The Way You Look Tonight
Peggy Lee - Fever
Quincy Jones - Killer Joe
Rogers and Hart - You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
Sarah Vaughn - How High The Moon
Sarah Vaughn - Lover Man

LIGHT JAZZ STANDARDS

Anita Baker - Same Ole' Love
Anita Baker - Sweet Love
Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do For Love
Herbie Hancock - Chamelion
Kirk Whalen - All I Do (Is Think About You)
Larry Carlton - Smiles & Smiles To Go
Sarah Vaughn - The Sweetest Sounds
Thelonius Monk - Round Midnight

MODERN, ALTERNATIVE & CLASSIC ROCK

Bruce Springstein - Dancin' In The Dark
Christopher Cross - Ride Like The Wind
Howard Jones - Sledgehammer
Huey Lewis & The News - The Power Of Love
John Cougar Melencamp - Rockin' In The USA
Robert Palmer - Addicted To Love
Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs - Wooly Bully
Santana - Smooth
Sting - Fields Of Gold
Sting - Fragile
Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith In You
Sting - My One & Only
Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Van Halen - Jump
Van Morrison - Domino
Van Morrison - Have I Told You Lately
Van Morrison - Moon Dance
Van Morrison - Wild Nights

MOTOWN, OLDIES & BEACH

Al Green - Love & Happiness
Alicia Keys - If I Ain't Got You
Aretha Franklin - Baby I Love You
Aretha Franklin - Respect
Aretha Franklin - Rock Steady
Aretha Franklin - Until You Come Back To Me
Average White Band - Cut the Cake
Average White Band - Pick Up The Pieces
B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone
Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Carl Carlton - Everlasting Love
Chairman of the Board - 39-21-46
Chairman of the Board - Carolina Girls
Chuck Jackson - Any Day Now
Chuck Jackson - But It's Alright
Clarence Carter - Slip Away
Dobie Gray - Drift Away
Drifters - This Magic Moment
Drifters - Under the Boardwalk
Drifters - Up On The Roof
Eddie Floyd - Knock On Wood
Evelyn Champagne King - Shame
Foundations - Baby, Now That I've Found You
Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup
Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Lovin
Four Tops - Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honeybunch)
Gloria Hardeman - Meet Me With Your Black Drawers On
Harold Melvin/ Blue Notes - Bad Luck
Harold Melvin/ Blue Notes - If You Don't Know Me By Now
Harold Melvin/ Blue Notes - The Love I Lost
Isley Brothers - It's Your Thing
James Brown - Cold Sweat
James Brown - I Feel Good- I Got You
James Brown - Livin' In America
James Brown - Popa's Got A Brand New Bag
James Brown - Sex Machine
King Floyd - Groove Me
Luther Vandross - Never Too Much
Marsha Griffiths - Electric Slide
Martha & The Vandellas - Dancin' In the Streets
Marvin Gaye - Ain't That Peculiar
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell - Your Precious Love
McFadden & Whitehead - Ain't No Stopping Us Now
O'Jays - Love Train
O'Jays - She Used To Be My Girl
Platters - Washed Ashore
Platters - With This Ring
Roberta Flack - The First Time I Saw Your Face
Roberta Flack/ Donnie Hathaway - Back Together Again
Roberta Flack/ Donnie Hathaway - Where Is The Love?
Rufus Thomas - Walkin' The Dog
Sam & Dave - Soul Man
Shalimar - Second Time Around
Sister Sledge - We Are Family
Spinners - Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
Spinners - I'll Be Around
Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
Temptations - My Girl
Temptations - The Way You Do The Things You Do
Temptations - Treat Her Like A Lady
The Tams - Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy
The Tams - What Kind Of Fool (Do You Think I Am)
Tina Turner - Disco Inferno
Tina Turner - Proud Mary
Tymes - Miss Grace
Tyrone Davis - Can I Change My Mind
Tyrone Davis - Turn Back The Hands Of Time
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
Whitney Houston - I'm Every Woman
Whitney Houston - Saving All My Love For You
Willie Tee - Thank You John
Willie Tee - Walking Up A One Way Street
Wilson Picket - 634-5789
Wilson Picket - Land Of A Thousand Dances
Wilson Picket - Midnight Hour
Wilson Picket - Mustang Sally

R&B, FUNK & DISCO

Cameo - Word Up
Chaka Chan/Rufus - Ain't Nobody
Chaka Chan/Rufus - I Feel For You
Chaka Chan/Rufus - Sweet Thing
Cheryl Lynn - To Be Real
Chic - Good Times
Donna Summer - Bad Girls
Donna Summer - She Works Hard For Her Money
Earth, Wind & Fire - Lets Groove Tonight
Earth, Wind & Fire - September
Gap Band - Outstanding
Gap Band - You Dropped A Bomb On Me
Kool & The Gang - Celebration
Kool & The Gang - Get Down On It
Kool & The Gang - Jungle Boogie
Kool & The Gang - Ladies Night
LaBelle - Lady Marmalade
Lenny Welch - Since I Fell For You
LTD/Jeffery Osborne - Back In Love Again
Rick James - Super Freak
Sade - Smooth Operator
Sade - Sweetest Taboo
Sly & The Family Stone - Dance To The Music
Sly & The Family Stone - Sing A Simple Song
Stevie Wonder - Do I Do
Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry About A Thing
Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground
The Tyme - Jungle Love