Russ Kaplan is a musical storyteller. A creatively restless composer and a versatile keyboardist, he is equally at home in the worlds of jazz, rock, Americana, and musical theatre.
Russ’ new album Lake Songs is something new for him and unique in the Ropeadope catalog… a collection of solo piano meditations inspired by the wildlife of Central Florida. It’s a notable departure from his debut album The Ulysses Cycle, a world fusion suite that told the story of The Odyssey through layered arrangements and his band’s fiery improvisations. Kaplan is also the creator of Ropeadope’s video series Nine Takes, a pandemic-inspired collaboration among nine composers from around the globe.
As a theatre composer, Russ is one of the creators of Broadway's first-ever a cappella musical In Transit, and he has written music for numerous other family musicals, TV specials and viral videos. Russ was also the host and bandleader of "Russ Kaplan's Broadway Jazz Session," a live concert series that brought together jazz and Broadway performers to re-interpret Broadway standards in innovative ways. He has performed with many other bands as well, including Brooklyn Americana favorite Chris Q. Murphy, roots-rockers The Randy Bandits, virtuoso violinist Judy Kang (Lady Gaga), drummer Claude Coleman Jr. (Ween), power pop maverick Richard X Heyman, dreamy jazz-rock outfit Small Dream Ada, and for the Upright Citizens Brigade's popular show Gravid Water.
Russ attended Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama as a directing major, where he also studied jazz piano and improvisation with John D'Amico and the legendary saxophonist Eric Kloss.
1. Manatee
2. Diamondback
3. Egret
4. Apple Snail
5. Tiny Lizards
6. Spanish Moss
7. Leopard Frog
8. Gator
9. Watersnake
10. Tortoise
Russ Kaplan, Piano
Produced, Composed, and Performed by Russ Kaplan
Recorded by Russ Kaplan on September 10 & 13, 2021 in Winter Garden, Florida
Mixed and Mastered by Chris Boerner
Cover Design by Owen Gent
