Reds Espresso Gallery is a local institution, justly loved both for serving up a delicious organic beverage and for its relaxed atmosphere. While not known as an entertainment venue, the coffeehouse is home to one of the longest artist residencies in San Diego, that of jazz pianist Billy Chapman. He has performed lunchtime sets there on Saturdays and Sundays for the last 12 years. Now he has added Friday evening sets to his schedule. Scheduling music around a 60-hour work week in the software industry, Chapman — a Point Loma native and accomplished classical player — has been a regular at local venues ranging from the La Valencia to the Hotel Del Coronado. He said he sees the Reds Espresso gig as both fun and practical, with a constantly changing audience. “I like hotel lobby work,” he said. “[But] I’m so busy now I barely get time to play. This is really an efficient way to keep up on your repertoire.” He said the location is a perfect match of artist and location. “It’s about as relaxing and friendly a place as you’ll ever walk into,” Chapman said. “It’s become an institution in Point Loma — in a nice wa. There’s nothing stuffy or uptight about the place.” Being a native, he does see a fair amount of familiar faces. “It’s hard to say who is just there anyway or who stops in to see me. While I wouldn’t call it an overwhelming crowd, there are regulars and they appreciate it.” Chapman said he plans to extend his Reds residency indefinitely. “I plan on playing piano until the day I die,” he said good-naturedly. Chapman said he has had a lifelong interest in the piano, which started at home. “My mom’s a great piano player,” Chapman said. “I don’t ever remember not playing. I was a typical kid. I always liked doing it, but practice got in the way of my (surfing) lifestyle. “When I really started hardcore surfing I kept showing up to lessons with my hands bruised, which really pissed off the teachers,” he said. While Chapman said he would love to eventually form a small jazz combo, for now he’s happy going the solo route. He said the original reasons for going solo were pragmatic. Working so many hours, the only time he could find to play was in the middle of the night by himself. “I was so busy I never had the time to organize a band or anything. I ultimately ended up playing all the parts,” he said. While he said he hopes to have a band in the future, he won’t forego his solo performances. “Now I’m spoiled and I like playing all the parts,” Chapman said. His repertoire includes a slew of standards like “In a Sentimental Mood,” “Harlem Nocturne” and “Straight, No Chaser,” with touches of improvisation. Chapman said he considers what he does to be more of a soundtrack to an evening than a concert performance. “I’m not a natural performer,” he said. “I’m not unfriendly, but I’m not there to cheer things up or converse between songs. I like to be background music. If someone wants to listen, fine. If they want to have a conversation and just hear the music in the background, that’s fine with me too.” Chapman has played bigger venues, but Reds Espresso offers him freedom to work on his craft as well as entertain without too much pressure. “Having everybody sit still and stare at you, there’s something to it. But it’s work,” Chapman said. “It’s stressful. I’d rather just be enjoying myself. I’d rather be at the party than the solo person onstage everybody is staring at.” Billy Chapman performs at 7 p.m. on Fridays at Reds Espresso Gallery, 1017 Rosecrans St. No cover. All ages. www.sexybeans.com.
