Tenzin Chopak (vocals, guitar, piano), is an artist and songwriter now based in Ithaca, NY. The son of a minister and an artist, Tenzin learned to love music in his father's church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He studied voice, piano, and guitar throughout his childhood, performing his original music frequently while dreaming of making it a full time profession.
In 1999, after some years of a burgeoning devotion to the study of Tibetan language and religion, he traveled to North India. It was during his eight month stay there that he was given the name "Tenzin Chopak". For the following twelve years, while continuing his study of Tibetan in upstate, NY, Tenzin kept music a quiet if not hidden part of his life. In late 2011 he began to write and perform publicly again. Teaming up with Richie Stearns, Rosie Newton, Eric Aceto, Harry Aceto, and Ethan Jodziewicz, he formed Rockwood Ferry as a vehicle for his music. Since then he has been the driving force behind two Rockwood Ferry albums, composed music for film, and has rapidly gained recognition for his songwriting, singing, and for his presence and joyful abandon in live performance. The current core ensemble includes Eric Aceto, Rich DePaolo, and Bill King. Occasionally performing members include Peter Dodge, Ethan Jodziewicz, and Richie Stearns.
Eric Aceto (5 and 6 string violin), is one of Ithaca's most respected musicians in addition to being a renowned stringed instrument builder. Known primarily for his work as a virtuoso gypsy jazz violinist, Eric also has extensive experience in folk, rock, and experimental music. He has been featured on countless musical projects of his own and with others over the years, notably including TiTi Chickapea with Richie Stearns and Hank Roberts, The Aceto Lieberman Quartet, Djug Django, The Djangoners, Martin Simpson, and The Burns Sisters.
Rich DePaolo (fretless bass, guitar, and vocals) is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer/engineer who has continued to be a prominent figure in Ithaca's music scene for many years in genres as diverse as art rock, folk, blues, and a cappella. He has a critically acclaimed solo release and was a principle writer and collaborator in the Ithaca-based avant-rock quintet Red Letter. In addition to producing and engineering dozens of records and mastering countless more, he has accompanied such notable regional and national performers as Martin Sexton, Sarah Harmer, Jimmy LaFave and Tom Paxton. He toured extensively with The Burns Sisters Band, Toronto based singer-songwriter Douglass September and Seattle based Michael Savage & Grace Hearn. He is currently finishing his second solo record.
Bill King (drums and percussion) has played with countless configurations of Ithaca's most respected musicians such as Hank Roberts, Red Letter, and Jennie Stearns in projects ranging from experimental and jazz to Americana. He is known for his sensitivity and subtlety expressing an incredible dynamic range in live performance. When asked what his bio should say, he replied "Drummer... between jobs."
www.facebook.com/rockwood.ferry
rockwoodferry.com/home
rockwoodferry.com/watch