AJ Pappas was raised in Salisbury, MA, a small beach community about an hour outside of Boston. He began playing bass at age twelve, teaching himself the riffs of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Cream on his black Epiphone Precision bass with the help of his sister’s pink cassette player. He later participated in high school jazz band and pit orchestra and played gigs in the Boston area with local band Not Broken. After graduating in 1996, Pappas moved to Hollywood, CA to pursue an education at Musicians Institute. He graduated in 1998 as “Outstanding Student of the Year” with a degree from MI's Bass Institute of Technology. During his time there, Pappas worked as an instructor at Musicians Institute, where he taught hard rock live playing workshops and assisted in various guitar, keyboard, drum, and bass classes.

 

In 1999, Pappas moved to New York City to join forces with independent rock band Eve to Adam. The band toured all over the US playing venues such as the world famous CBGB’s in NYC which led to opening for major bands including Tesla, Geoff Tate, and Type O Negative. Throughout his seven years with the band, Pappas spent his time co-writing, recording, and releasing two independent Eve to Adam. records under Caroline/Shelter Distribution.

 

Pappas is best known for his work with New York City blues artist, Popa Chubby, whom he played bass for from 2006-2012. Throughout his six years in the Popa Chubby Band, Pappas toured extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, Africa, and South America, averaging over 150 shows per year. During this time, Pappas appeared on European TV and radio channels including France 2, Direct 8, Rockpalast, and RTL. He performed in major U.S. and European music festivals including Memphis in May, B.O.S.P.O.P, the Nice Jazz Festival, and the San Sebastian Jazz Festival. During these festivals he shared the stage with such artists as Bettye Lavette, Sonny Landreth, Lou Marini, Walter Trout, Lance Lopez, Jimmy Thackery, and Bob Margolin. In addition to touring, Pappas recorded three Popa Chubby albums and one DVD as well as albums for Neal Black and Big Ed Sullivan, both produced by Popa Chubby.

 

In 2012, Pappas decided to leave New York City and return to his hometown where he switched gears when an opportunity presented itself at Harvard’s American Repertory Theater. Pappas spent the next few months back in the pit orchestra, playing bass in Taylor Mac’s production of The Lily’s Revenge. During this time, Pappas received a phone call from guitar virtuoso, Johnny A. Pappas once again switched gears, now focusing on his musicality and practicing new techniques as he backed up the instrumental jazz musician. While touring with Johnny A., Pappas also played gigs with the Martha’s Vineyard based band Entrain and the James Montgomery Blues Band.

 

Pappas has been working with Boston’s guitar prodigy, Gary Hoey, for the past two years.  They recently were part of Yngwie Malmsteen's Guitar Gods tour.  This year will mark Gary's 20th Anniversary of his Ho Ho Ho tours!  While not tour, Pappas has been focusing his efforts on teaching guitar, ukulele, and bass lessons. He has a steady roster at Northstar Music Center in East Hampstead, NH and is working on building up his student base in his own home studio as well as teaching through Skype.