OD TAPO IMI Steel Drum Pop Vocal Band
and More!
OD TAPO IMI represents the best musicians from Broadway in Chicago to the Grammy's right here in the Mid-West
specializing in the Caribbean
genre of entertainment.
OD TAPO IMI "goes out" in various sizes ranging from solo/duo/trio, 5-Piece, 8- Piece and 12-piece Broadway style extravanganza.
OD TAPO IMI is an acronym for Oil Drums That Are Pounded Out Into Musical Instruments. The core instrument of OD TAPO IMI's show is the steel drum, invented around the time of WWII on the island of Trinidad, West Indies where there was a plethora of oil drums left on the island from off-shore drilling. Simply put, the steel drum is the bottom of an Oil Drum with dents where each dent is a musical pitch. Click here for a short video of a Steel Drum being "tuned."
OD TAPO IMI began 20 years ago after Gerard Brill returned from Trinidad with a set of nine steel drums. The popularity of drums and recycled percussion (think Blue Man Group, Stomp, Blast) inspired Gerard to take the steel drum and create a viable Tropical Pop performance that appeals to all ages, recalls memories of tropical destinations, creates smiles, foot tapping and simply takes audiences on an "Instant Vacation!"
Here's our line-up of musicians for 2012
Founder & Registered Joyologist,
Gerard Brill on Steel Drums
From performing before the
Dalai Lama to writing for SONY,
Bradley Fish does it all!
www.BradleyFish.com
Teacher, Director and on vocals,
steel drum and keyboards.
Rob Orland!
We are honored to have
Todd Donnelly of
www.MrMyers.com
jammin' with us!
A true renaissance woman!
From Producing music to Yoga,
Sharon Hartley!
www.SharonHartley.com
He brings ALL his basses to
OD TAPO IMI, and
sometimes a tuba!
Philly Meier!
Original member of OD TAPO IMI
returns this summer!
Dave Otterson!
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Got or Teach K I D S ?
Click here for info!
OD TAPO IMI does
School Assemblies!
Great fun and includes
interdisciplinary
curriculum emphasizing
Multi-Culturalism,
being "Green" with
recycling & repurposing
and lots of student
participation!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
What past clients say...
Jam Productions: (World Cup, Nike Town , Farm Aid, Phil Donahue) “Thanks for a fantastic set…the feedback has been wonderful…everyone was very happy with the performance… many thanks for helping make this a great night.”
Carmel Music & Entertainment: (Chicago Magazine "Best Of") "We had such a good time. You are fabulous! We are always impressed by your professionalism and the great reviews from our clients. Now we are in awe of your unbelievable talent and enthusiasm. The fun you exude is contagious to all of your audience." Thanks again!
Live Nation - Jimmy Buffett, “They played our opening stage and then entertained our VIPs and were one the best pre-shows we had this tour!”
Milwaukee SummerFest & Ringo Starr/Miller VIP Tent: “...better than perfect! Their flexibility and professionalism has made them a staple for our client’s events.”
WMGN: “The crowd had no interest in our feature act flown in from California, they came by the thousands to hear OD TAPO IMI...the phone wouldn’t stop ringing at the station with eager listeners not wanting to miss their performance.”
Taste of Chicago – Mayor’s Office: “Your performance is one of the highlights of Taste of Chicago. Your time, talent and energy are appreciated and admired!”
Cathy Ankenbrandt - Bride:
"You didn't just play for our wedding, you really entertained and everyone
had an absolute riot because of the band. It was everything we wanted
and more!"
School of Education:
"The first
time in the history of our conferences the attendees requested the band
to keep playing...stylish, upbeat, invigorating; our guests were clearly
enchanted!"
Restaurant Association:
"Your group can
take credit for the success of this party. People told us that this is
one of the Association's best events!"
Diabetes Association:
"We raised nearly
$59,000! It would not have been possible without the help of OD TAPO IMI!"
The photos & Music throughout this site are from last three years which included such highlights as opening for Jimmy Buffett and having our original music on MTV, VH1, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, HGTV & A&E.
