Photos by Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times

Backstage passes and autographed posters of musicians adorn the walls of Edible Vibe. Chef John Schopp has been praised by many of the musicians who have had his cooking through Roanoke's Jefferson Center.

Schopp and his wife, Karen (left), started their restaurant and catering businesses in Rocky Mount about five years ago.

Edible Vibe and Center Stage Catering chef John Schopp seasons a batch of Hungarian soup in his Rocky Mount restaurant kitchen. Through his catering business, Schopp has cooked meals for most of the major acts at Jefferson Center.

Let's just get this out of the way: "This one time at bass camp ... "

Sorry for the long-outdated "American Pie" reference. It's just that the old catchphrase pops into my head every time I think about Victor Wooten's Bass/Nature Camp, near Nashville, Tenn.

And why do I think about it? Because Roanoke-area restaurateur John "Jazz Chef" Schopp recently returned from the camp -- it was the eighth time he's whipped up chow for the 60-some musicians who attend the six-day event. Participants range in age from 16 to 65, and at least five per year are on restricted diets.

It's an incredibly busy week, and it requires a lot of quick thinking to gather up ingredients and think of menus for folks who've just gone through another unpredictable day of camp. They might have been playing music, or they might have been learning outdoor survival skills. It's that kind of an experience.

As hectic as it gets, Schopp loves the work, because he loves being around musicians. And in particular, he enjoys the Wooten family. The bass guitar giant "is one of the most giving people," Schopp said. "His whole family is that way -- open, giving, kind."

For Wooten, a phenomenal bass player who came to prominence with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, the feeling is mutual.

"Chef John and his crew have raised our Bass/Nature Camp to a new level," Wooten said through a publicist. "The students tell us that they have never eaten better. I don't want to do a camp without him."

The camp's Web site lists Schopp among its instructors, with a short bio that includes this line: "Though he prefers air conditioning, his nature motto is 'I haven't met an insect that I don't like ... dipped in chocolate.' "

After the week is over, he comes back to his day jobs: the Rocky Mount restaurant Edible Vibe and Center Stage Catering. Schopp, 43, and his wife, Karen, started the businesses about five years ago.

Both gigs share a philosophy -- good cooking is like good jazz music. With techniques and ingredients mastered like scales or rudiments, a chef can improvise a delicious meal.

Schopp, who says with a big laugh that he "sucks at guitar," was about 7 when he started plunking the six strings and cooking.

"I kind of got on the [cooking] path ... and left the other as my neglected, sorrowful hobby," he said. "It still gives me tremendous stress relief when I pick it up and do it. But I don't play with anybody, and I can't carry a tune."

But if you're in the stratosphere of cats who can play and carry a tune, Schopp has probably cooked you a meal.

Joan Baez, Kid Rock, Kenny Chesney, Herbie Hancock and more have eaten Schopp's meals, most all of which he improvised after meeting the players and "getting their vibe."

With Center Stage, he cooks meals for most of the major acts that play Roanoke's Jefferson Center.

Several of those acts have thrown the love right back at Schopp. In October, Schopp received a very public, very enthusiastic shout-out from the Jefferson Center stage, where jazz trumpeter/bandleader Wynton Marsalis told the crowd what he thought of the chef.

"Have mercy! Woooo, let me tell you something: John Schopp, Center Stage Catering ... he is for real," Marsalis said, to whoops and applause. "That's right. This man is an artist. ... That was the best Key lime pie that has ever been made. And everything else -- lobster. Have mercy."

Reporter Lindsey Nair contributed to this story.

Saving the music

Last November, VH1's Save The Music Foundation added Roanoke City Schools' elementary school music program to its funding list.

Sometime in early July, four of the city's schools will have the new labs and musical equipment from about $120,000 in grants, Roanoke schools arts coordinator Cyrus Pace said.

Hurt Park Elementary School and Roanoke Academy of Arts and Science each will have a keyboard lab -- small sets of Yamaha keyboards, along with a master keyboard and computer system that will help first- and second-graders get hands-on piano training.

Fairview Elementary will get stringed instruments, and Lincoln Terrace will receive band equipment.

We'll be watching for the equipment move-in, and will report more later.