About

”Roxi Copland of Des Moines has a deep, soulful voice to complement the slew of talented musicians she works with. Decidedly jazz/pop, Roxi’s music is the modern equivalent to the sensual, smoky bar soloist with a Coltrane air.”
-’Top Ten Iowa Bands’ – Max Plenke

Roxi Copland performs throughout the US, entertaining with an engaging combination of original songs and innovative pop-infused arrangements of jazz standards. Copland’s unique genre is probably best described in the words of one particularly eloquent reviewer as “a possibly schizophrenic but absolutely brilliant concoction of jazz, pop and soul.” We’re not quite sure if she’s better described as “Norah Jones with bite” or “Amy Winehouse sober.” Either way, this talented singer/songwriter won’t disappoint.

Copland has played over 600 shows in the last three years for audiences ranging from 10 to 125,000 people – she just wrapped up her third midwest tour in March, which included over a dozen dates in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky and Ohio. In addition to her own tours, Copland has opened for a number of prominent national acts, including most recently pop sensation Vanessa Carlton, jazz virtuoso Jason Lindner, and the acapella powerhouse the Manhattan Transfer.

Copland released her debut EP, ‘Streetwise’, in December of 2008. ‘Streetwise’ is a perfect representation of Copland’s virtuosity, with tracks ranging from a funky blues to a jazz/hip hop remix. In a review of the album, the Des Moines Register urged its readers: “listen to the mature timbre of her alto vocals, astute lyrics and sophisticated compositions”. Currently, Copland is touring in support of her second project, ‘Black Out the Blue,’ which was released on March 6, 2010. Fans can enjoy a little more pop in the jazz/pop ratio for this CD. Check out the side-bar to the right to purchase the album and check out the latest tour schedule.

You can hear Copland’s music by going to the music page or by searching Itunes, Amazon, CD Baby and other online venues.

For bookings, publicity information, or teaching availability, please contact Roxi here.

History- The Roxi Copland Story (Abridged)

Roxi was born in Nebraska and grew up near Seattle, in Aberdeen, Wa. As a point of reference, fellow Aberdonian Kurt Cobain once lovingly referred to this quiet little hamlet as “the armpit of the world.” Roxi’s actually a bit more fond of it than that. After high school, Roxi came to Iowa to attend Grinnell College, to follow in the footsteps of Grinnell alum, Herbie Hancock. (Except in her case, she thought she’d also finish there.) In school, she majored in music and international law- something of a foregone conclusion being the daughter of a judge/ jazz trumpeter. After graduating and deciding to pursue music full-time, Roxi moved to Des Moines and signed on to a local variety act, Final Mix, with whom she worked for a year. In the fall of 2006, Roxi decided to leave the group to focus on an original sound, and she founded the Roxi Copland Band – her musical career has been on the rise ever since. (Check out the Reviews page for a brief chronology of her reception since striking out on her own.) Though Roxi still loves to play with several local and regional acts when possible, her ever-expanding tour schedule keeps Roxi working primarily with her own ensemble as of late.

View Roxi Copland’s EPK