A Word about 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.