Background
His father Ray Copeland was a jazz trumpet player, and he learned some by watching him, but he decided to go into drums after study"s Art Blakey"s records with The Jazz Messengers.
university professor jazz musician
His father Ray Copeland was a jazz trumpet player, and he learned some by watching him, but he decided to go into drums after study"s Art Blakey"s records with The Jazz Messengers.
In his teens he was sitting in with Barry Harris"s group. He later worked with the Heath Brothers, but Percy Heath disliked his style leading to arguments and ultimately to Copeland quitting. He also worked with Sam Jones, Billy Taylor, Johnny Griffin, Stevie Wonder, Rory Stuart, George Russell, and Hank Jones.
He led his own European-based groups, including one with Irish bassist Ronan Guilfoyle.
Keith Copeland went on to be an educator of jazz musicians. He taught at a number of universities in the United States of America, including New School University and Rutgers & Berklee College of Music, before moving to Germany in 1992 and teaching there in the Hochschule system.
Some of his notable students include Terri Lyne Carrington and Adam Cruz.
Served to sergeant United States Air Force, 1963-1968. Member of Masons.
Married Sandra Lee (divorced July 1983). 1 child, Wesley Jonathan. Married Daisy Cecelia Newman, August 29, 1987.