*All guests, staff, and performers must show proof of vaccination or produce a negative test result within 72 hours of entering to be admitted to a show.

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Aropa Ensemble visits BOP STOP for one night only! Tickets to attend this performance in person are $20 each, This event will also be livestreamed on BOP STOP's Facebook page at showtime. Accessing the stream is free but donations are greatly appreciated and can be made at www.givebutter.com/Aropa

Aropa is a new collaborative project involving some of the top improvisers from Northeast Ohio and Pittsburgh. Members come from an eclectic mix of musical backgrounds and career experiences, finding common ground in improvised music and jazz traditions. Featuring Phoenix native Russell Schmidt on piano, the group also showcases Chris Anderson (trombone), Dr. Jason Kush (saxophone), Dan Bruce (guitar), Aidan Plank (bass), and Nathan Douds (drums).

Aropa performs original compositions drawing from a wide and diverse set of inspirations, employing a broad textural palette and relatable melodic material while maintaining a hint of dissonance and disorder throughout. In performance, members bring a level of risk, immediacy, and spontaneity that goes well beyond the written page.

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As a performer, composer, conductor, and educator, Russell Schmidt has been collaborating with world-class musicians while also shaping future artists for more than three decades. A deeply creative pianist, he has shared the stage with such celebrated performers as Carl Allen, Roxy Coss, Eddie Daniels, Nick Finzer, John Hollenbeck, Gerry Mulligan, Lucas Pino, Arturo Sandoval, and Clark Terry. He has been featured as a guest soloist with Caleb Chapman’s Crescent Super Band in a performance at Carnegie Hall, as well as with the Eastman Jazz Ensemble at an alumni tribute concert to famed jazz pedagogue Rayburn Wright. Russell has also headlined jazz events with his own groups at such venues as the MIM Music Theater, Kilbourn Hall, and The Nash. Additionally, he has served as keyboard soloist with more than 30 professional orchestras, including performances with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall.