Lloyd Kaplan was born on August 9, 1933, in Fall River, Massachusetts,
he was raised in the city of Pawtucket, R.I. and moved to Providence, R.I. staying about 55 years until moving to Warwick, R.I. in 2009. Music
was a part of Kaplan's life from an early age � though there were no
musicians in his immediate family, all of them could sing, and he grew up
a jazz fan.
He first became interested in music during his middle school years, where
he began playing the clarinet, participating in school bands and in
minstrel shows.
Having no specific plan after finishing his high school studies, Kaplan
enrolled in Bryant university, where he studied business. After graduating
in 1953, Kaplan joined the army, which is where, in his words, he became
serious about music. He performed as a saxophonist in the 62nd Army Band.
After his service ended in 1955, Kaplan enrolled at the University of
Rhode Island in 1956 via the G.I Bill, where he earned his B.S. in music
education. After graduating in 1959, he went on to obtain his M.A.T from
Brown University in 1962.
Kaplan began his teaching career in 1960, where he taught at Hugh B. Bain
Jr. High School from 1960-1965. He also taught at Scituate Jr./Sr. high
from 1965-1966.
In 1966, Kaplan joined the faculty of the Community College of Rhode
Island, where he taught until 1995. During his tenure, Kaplan introduced
jazz as a degree option for music majors, and was responsible for the
creation of a number of new courses, including Twentieth Century Music,
Intro To Opera, The Creative Process In The Arts, Jazz History, Essentials
of Rhythm, and Introduction To Music. He also served as the head of the
Music Department of CCRI from 1974-1980, and was inducted into the CCRI
Hall of Fame in 2002. He is now a Professor Emeritus at CCRI, and has also
served as an adjunct instructor at Coastal Carolina University from
1995-2004.
He currently leads the jazz group "The Aristocats", and has done so for
27 years.
Professor Kaplan has performed with many of the top jazz musicians in
Rhode Island, including Tony Tomasso-trpt. and cornet; Porky
Cohen-trombone; Art Pelosi-tenor sax;
Bob Petteruti-bass; Frank "Red" McDonald-guitar; Frank Marchetti-bass; Nat
Piccirilli-guitar and banjo; Mike Marra-cornet; Dick Whaley-trombone; George
Masso-trombone; Ray Cerce-drums; Joe Velletri-drums; Dennis Pratt-bass and
vocals;
Bob Kettell-drums; Joe Holtzman-drums; Phillip O'Shea-drums; Al
DeAndrade-trpt.; and John Curzio-bass.
He has also performed with GraySargent-guitar; Richard Sudhalter-cornet;
and Alan Dawson-drums.
Kaplan is still performing in R.I., Mass., and Conn., as well as South
Carolina with a steady gig in Myrtle Beach.
In April, 2013 he gave the induction speech for Bobby Hackett's induction
into the R. I. Music Hall of Fame.In August, 2013. Kaplan, Dennis Pratt
and Dr. Tom Shaker, gave a
presentation at the Newport, R. I. Preservation Society about R. I. jazz.
At present he is on the faculty of both Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
at Coastal Carolina University and the University of R. I.
Lloyd remains happily married to Sheila Kaplan who he married 53 years ago.
