for the next decade, copland labored in washington, d.c. and baltimore in relative obscurity while mastering his new instrument. during this period he underwent a kind of apprenticeship, playing with well-known musicians passing through the area who asked for him as an accompanist. backing up different musicians one week to the next, he worked with artists such as randy brecker, bob berg, hank crawford, art farmer, curtis fuller, tom harrell, eddie harris, harold land and blue mitchell, dave liebman, bob mintzer, gary peacock, and sonny stitt. during this time he also led his own bands in local clubs, playing with many of the musicians who lived and worked in the area. one of these, bassist drew gress, later moved to new york and over the years has become one of copland's chief musical collaborators.