TRIPLICATE is founded on a principle rarely seen in jazz and other popular music today: they are an ensemble with a true Esprit de Corps sense of enthusiasm and devotion to their common cause of creating and performing a personal repertoire of music defined by their collective group sound. The trio has practiced this principle steadfastly for almost a decade.

This imagination and sensibility has given the members of TRIPLICATE, Joel Shapira (electric guitars), Bruce "Pooch" Heine (acoustic & electric basses), and David Stanoch (trapset), the respect and appreciation of critics, disc-jockeys, promoters, and, most importantly, listeners of all ages who enjoy their recordings and are captivated by their live performances.

The Boys in the Band

Guitarist Joel Shapira has for many years performed freelance around the Twin Cites in a variety of settings including appearances with respected international artists Jack McDuff, Bernard Purdie and Herb Graham, Jr. He co-leads small jazz groups with saxophonist Paul Harper, under the guise of Sunset Park Music. Joel also works in duo and/or group settings with talented local musicians Dean Magraw, Kevin Daley, Pete Whitman, John Devine, Doug Little, Charmin Michelle, Signe Hensel, Judi Donaghy, and Vic Volare, among others. In the 1980s, he was a member of the popular rock band Boy Elroy.

Joel attended Berklee School of Music, in Boston, and Mannes School of Music, in New York City. He has studied with Tal Farlow, Joe Pass, Sharon Isbin, and Anthony Cox. Joel gives guitar instruction at Stillwater Music and at Rymer Academy of Fine Arts in Roseville.

Bassist Bruce "Pooch" Heine is a player in great demand around the Twin Cities, having freelanced with jazz and blues greats Mose Allison, Jack McDuff, Bob Mintzer, Bob Berg, Barrett Deems, Jeff `Tain' Watts, and Paul Wertico, as well as popular entertainers Little Anthony & the Imperials and Joan Rivers. He also performs regularly with a variety of talented local artists including the Cedar Avenue Big Band, Eddie Berger, Dave Brattain, Chris Lomheim, Jay Epstein, Christine Rosholt, Dean Granros, Big Walter Smith, and the late Bobby Peterson­­ often as a member of the house rhythm section at St. Paul's renowned Artists' Quarter jazz club. Pooch has also played several national musical productions, including Penumbra Theatre's "Dinah Was," and a national tour of "Ain't Misbehavin."

Pooch has a degree in music education from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where he studied with Reginald Buckner and Dr. Frank Bencriscutto. Pooch is an adjunct faculty member, instructing bass, at St. Cloud State University.

Drummer David Stanoch has, as a freelance and studio musician, performed with a truly diverse list of respected artists in the Twin Cities and around the world. A partial listing includes: jazz and R&B musicians Jack McDuff, Ben Sidran, Richard Davis, Ed Shaughnessy, Bernard Purdie, Clyde Stubblefield, Herb Ellis, Hiram Bullock, Scott Henderson, Stanley Jordan, Anthony Cox, John Carter, and Bobby Bradford; Pop artists Butch Vig, Freedy Johnston, Timbuk 3, Col. Bruce Hampton, Mary Wilson, Sometimes Y, and the New Kids On The Block; Broadway and television stars Shirley Jones, Robert Goulet, Charo, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart and Shari Lewis; and also classical ensembles the Minnesota Orchestra and the Empire Brass.

David attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has also studied with Max Roach, Alan Dawson, Elliot Fine, Jeff Hamilton, Ignacio Berroa, and Chad Wackerman. He endorses Paiste Cymbals, EV Microphones, and products by GK Music and Gauger Percussion Inc. David is also an active clinician and author. He has been on the faculty of McNally Smith College of Music (formerly Musictech) for over a decade.

CD release party  in Minneapolis on Thurday, February 17th from 7:00 - 11:00 PM at: