SEEKING
Vocalist - Tenor, Bass Guitar, Keyboard.ABOUT
I'm a full-time working drum set artist, vocalist, and music educator. While drums have always been my primary instrument, I play rhythm guitar and bass proficiently, have working ability on keyboards.
Since 2017, I've been performing all over the U.S. as the drummer/background (and occasional lead) vocalist for nationally renowned Chicago tribute, Beginnings. Since 2019, I've shared the drum chair for (current Billy Joel band member) Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot. Since 1997, I've performed regularly on drums and vocals with Modern Rock/Top 40 cover band, Them Bones, and I freelance on the stages and in the studios of the New York Tri-State area.
My love for live performance is closely rivaled by my love for recording. I take pride in providing world class live drum tracks for projects of any size or scope, in many styles, recorded in my studio or on-location at your studio of choice.
Working in the studio (yours or mine) brings me great joy, and I love every facet of the recording process, from tracking to mixing, to mastering. My wide-ranging collection of top of the line drums and cymbals are carefully selected for each project, giving me authentic sounds for everything from acoustic jazz to thunderous hard rock, and anything in-between. I happily work on projects of all sizes and scopes.
To satisfy my creative urges, I write, record and perform instrumental jazz-funk, funk, and other groove oriented music. In recent years, I've been particularly interested in the new generation of jazz artists who combine jazz vocabulary with funk and hip-hop grooves (particularly the "J Dilla" feel) for an innovative mix of jazz and urban grooves.
- Screen name:
- drums1225
- Member since:
- Jan 19 2017
- Active within 1 month
- Level of commitment:
- Touring
- Years playing music:
- 40
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 6-7 nights a week
Influences
I grew up on 70's AM Radio, classic rock and, in my teens, hard rock and metal. In my late teens/early 20's my tastes took a hard turn toward funk, fusion, and jazz, where my heart remains.
ROCK
My earliest, most foundational and defining rock drumming influence was John Bonham, who, to me, epitomizes how rock drumming should sound and feel. Liberty DeVitto's drumming, most notably on Billy Joel's "The Stranger", "52nd Street", and "Glass Houses") had a major influence on me, as well.
The most profound inspiration in my formative years came from Neil Peart. The absolute obsession to be able to play like Neil required me to step up my game on many fronts. I had to develop my chops, sharpen my ear, greatly expand my understanding of complex music and odd time signatures, as well as my ability to memorize large amounts of musical information. I fully credit Neil with providing me the inspiration to pursue music as a full time career.
FUNK/FUSION/HIP HOP
Dennis Chambers, Mike Clark, David Garibaldi, Clyde Stubblefield, Nate Smith, Larnell Lewis, "Sput" Searight, Adam Deitch, Chris Dave, Keith Carlock, Kenton Bostick, Questlove, Eric Harland, and many more.
JAZZ
Tony Williams, Jimmy Cobb, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Jack DeJohnette,
ARTISTS/BANDS
Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, John Scofield, Tower of Power, Grant Green, Soulive, Miles, Coltrane, Monk, Darryl Reeves, Lettuce, Robert Glasper Experiment, Joshua Redman Elastic Band, and many more.
Instrument experience:
- Drums:
- Expert
- Vocalist:
- Advanced
- Rhythm Guitar:
- Advanced
- Bass Guitar:
- Advanced
- Background Singer:
- Advanced
- Lead Guitar:
- Moderate
- Acoustic Guitar:
- Moderate
- Keyboard:
- Intermediate
EQUIPMENT
DRUMS
Tama STAR Maple
Tama Starclassic Maple
Tama Superstar
Modern Drum Shop NYC Custom Bebop/Breakbeat Kit
CYMBALS
Avedis Zldjian
K Zildjian
Zildjian K Custom
Zildjian A Custom
Meinl Byzance Extra Dry
Dream Bliss
Spizzichino
DRUM MICS
Earthworks DK7 Drum Microphone Kit
Earthworks TC25 Small Diaphragm Condenser Stereo Matched Pair
Sennheiser MD421
Shure Beta91A
Shure SM57
Blue Microphones - Baby Bottle
MIC PREAMPS
Audient ASP880
Focusrite 18i20
(2) Studio Projects VTB-1
