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Christopher John Arpad

Chris Arpad is an American musician of Hungarian ancestry, born and raised in KS, migrated to Los Angeles and is known for his solo steel pan performances.

About Me

Christopher “Chris” Arpad was born in Osborne, Kansas on July 27, 1967, the eldest of 4 children born to Elaine Arpad, a Registered Nurse, and John Arpad, a pipe extruder operator for CertainTeed Corporation. He grew up in McPherson, Kansas, and attended schools in the McPherson Unified School District. At home he performed with his younger sisters, together they played their first gig for a family reunion. Chris was heavily involved with all things music in his hometown of McPherson. Chris played in every school band, community band, marching band, concert band, orchestra, and jazz ensemble, including the pit orchestra for musicals. He attended Clark Terry's Jazz camp in Emporia, KS, and sought out Jazz wherever he could find it. He was an early member of the City of McPherson Bagpipe Band along with his youngest sister Lisa, who played the bagpipes while he was the drum sergeant, teaching, performing and competing. Chris began his professional music career as the youngest member of Jerry Driskill's country swing band at the age of 14. Chris studied under Dr. J.C. Combs at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS; and it was here that he was first exposed to steel pans. Through a prerequisite course as a percussion major, he discovered a fascination and love for the steel pan. He studied under Ricardo Garcia, Andy and Jeff Narell, Gary Gibson, and the creator of the steel pan Dr. Elliot “Ellie” Mannette, at WSU and Haystack, Oregon Steel Drum Workshop. Chris came to manage and perform with his own steel drum band “Stainless Steel” from 1986- 1991 and then went on to Los Angeles, CA for 27 years where he expanded his solo steel drum performances, and recording sessions with various projects. Currently, he performs professionally as Chris Arpad Solo Steel Drum Entertainment based in Tucson, Arizona, and travels the united states as a steel drum soloist.

My Jazz Story

I was first exposed to jazz by my first band teacher, Mike Connell. He was the best and inspired me so much, I'm forever thankful that he allowed me to play drums in his band. Les Sperling was my Jr. High band director his last year of teaching. He was tired and a lot of kids gave him a rough time but I thought he was pretty cool. Karl Ivers was my next band director and he inspired me to attend Clark Terry's Jazz band camp at Emporia University. That was a real lesson in Jazz and a great exposure and teachings by Jack Mouse. Karl Ivers also greatly inspired me to play out as a solo performer that I am today. My High School years brought me Al Trollman as a director and teacher. He was also my first music theory teacher. He was an excellent trumpeter and brought great lessons in jazz combo's. My last band director in High School was Frosty Tegethoff. He saw me through to Kansas State Jazz Band and was a great support, and inspiration to me as I headed off to pursue music at Wichita State University.