Jim Haptonstahl
Oak Park, Illinois, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014
Music
Press
Jim Haptonstahl's "Inside My Mind's Eye" CD was featured on 3.20.05 on Chicago Public Radio's "Hello Beautiful!" Arts Program with Edward Lifson. See www.jimhap.com for more details, and to hear full audio of radio program.
- Chicago Public Radio
Farther Foundation, charitable scholarship organization benefitting underprivileged students, will host its Annual Benefit on Thursday, Oct. 16th, 7:00-10:00pm at Fitzgerald's Nightclub in Berwyn. The highlight of this year's benefit will be a travel themed story slam featuring several renowned raconteurs, with musical entertainment provided by Jim Haptonstahl. - Chicago Tribune
Come celebrate SEOPCO's 10th anniversary at Barrie Fest! it is a great time to see your neighbors and have fun in the best community in Oak Park, with live music featuring Jim Haptonstahl, Bright Abyss, Scattin' in Tongues, and Rob Pierce. - Patch.com
Coming up from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 11 is "Barrie Fest," celebrating the south east Oak Park community, in Barrie Park at Lombard Avenue and Garfield Street. "Barrie Fest" is also sponsored by SEOPCO (South East Oak Park Community Organization). New features this year include a Pet Parade at 2 p.m. and a fire truck from 2 to 3 p.m. Live music on stage will feature Jim Haptonstahl, The Welcome, Harrison St. Ukulele Players and Ballcock Assembly. - Oak Leaves
On Saturday April 16 Val’s halla will celebrate Record Store Day, featuring Jim Haptonstahl and Friends at 1pm for hours of musical entertainment. All items (except RSD releases) will be on sale. -
Discography
Jim Haptonstahl Discography:
* Inside My Mind's Eye - released in 12/04...samples available at www.jimhap.com, www.myspace.com/jimhaptonstahl, and www.cdbaby.com/jimhap..."Skip Rocking" song included in Oasis Acoustic Sampler - Vol. V, Number 2, for radio airplay
* Recurring Dream - Nibor Records (released 2001)
* Jim Haptonstahl Live at the Red Barn 1989 - Nibor Records
* Jim Haptonstahl Live at Elandorf 1988 - Nibor Records
* Jim Haptonstahl Live at Elandorf 1987 - Nibor Records
* Soundtrack for Film Short "One Track Mind" (not available on CD)
* New CD in the Works (2010)
Photos
Bio
Emerging from Galesburg in the prairies of central Illinois, Jim Haptonstahl has worn a variety of musical hats. Starting as a solo artist in 1974, Haptonstahl integrated his original material into a mix of late '60's and early to mid '70's folk-rock, from Beatles to Joni Mitchell to Cat Stevens. But he was also intrigued with the complex sounds of Peter Gabriel-era Genesis, with Frank Zappa, with elaborate poly-rhythms and open tunings.
In 1978 he formed a duo with Robin Akins. He and Akins soon combined forces with other Peoria-area musicians Hugh and Rudy Higgins, Mark Smith and Doug Lady to create a formidable band-- Helix-- and a considerable cult-following. With its wide range of rock, jazz and folk-infused sounds, Helix provided a vehicle for a number of original Haptonstahl tunes, while also broadening Haptonstahl's musical vocabulary.
In 1983 Haptonstahl joined New Moon, a Bloomington, Illinois based new folk group. Violin-mandolin-harmonica player Joel Batty and bass-player/guitarist Bob Egan (who subsequently has recorded and performed with Wilco and Blue Rodeo) combined with Haptonstahl to create tight harmonies and driving instrumental arrangements. Over the next two years New Moon was featured on several local live radio concerts, including joint performances with Alison Krauss.
Since his halcyon days with Helix, Haptonstahl has continued to perform solo, as well as with Steve Jackson on cello, bass and backing vocals, Bill Kavanagh (bass), his daughter Julia Haptonstahl (bass/flute), Joel Batty (violin/harmonica/mandolin), Hugh Higgins (vocals/percussion), and Robin Akins (bass, backing vocals). Focusing primarily on original material, he has played a variety of Chicago area & other Midwest venues, while continuing to compose a voluminous repertoire of songs. He and Jackson created a quirky and ironic soundtrack for the Tom Jackson & Marty Monical film short "One Track Mind", winner of the "People's Choice" award at the 2005 Black Earth Film Festival.
Haptonstahl's CD credits include, among others, "Jim Haptonstahl - Live at Elandorf Music Festival 1987", "Recurring Dream" (recorded 1986, re-released 2001), "Inside My Mind's Eye" (December, 2004). Jim is currently working on a new CD, which further displays his musical evolution--as he utilizes a complex array of guitar tunings, song structures, and lyrical themes to create an arresting collection of songs.
Band Members
Links
