Background

Current

Drumming with Jeff Willey Blues Band. It is a professional, rehearsed, upscale nightclub blues act led by Jeff Willey on guitar, harmonica and vocals. (www.jw-blues.com or call Jeff Willey at 407.615.1950)

I am available for short notice gigs and a limited number of students.

I have played and endorsed Fibes drums since 1999. They are amazing musical instruments and watch for an announcement soon on their website at www.fibes.com for some great news regarding production. Thanks to Tommy and Stacy Robertson for the continued support and generosity.

Same goes to Erce Gokhan, owner of Xilxo Cymbals, made in Turkey, available through www.cymbalhouse.com. Xilxo cymbals are gaining notoriety fast. They are intensely musical Turkish cymbals at great prices. Come see me at a gig to hear Fibes and Xilxo in action!

Past Gigs

Taught at the 2005 World Music Festival at Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA along with Horatio Hernandez and Kenwood Dennard and other drumming greats. Performed for a few minutes at the faculty blowout at the Berklee Performing Arts Center.

Played for a year with sax legend Leroy "Hog" Cooper (RIP) as a member of Orlando-based Smokin' Torpedoes - Leroy was bandleader for Ray Charles for 20 years.

  • Performed in concert with numerous national and international artists:

    Felix Reyes (wrote title track on Susan Tedeschi's GRAMMY nominated Wait for Me CD)
    African percussionist Aiyb Dieng (Trilok Gurtu, Herbie Hancock, Brian Eno, Mick Fleetwood's Jazz Africa)
    Gary Swinard (UFO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
     Danny Morris (of Nighthawks fame)
    Sean Carney (2007 International Blues Challenge winner)
    Chris "Stovall" Brown
    James Peterson (RIP)
     Chicago based David Antonio Herrero
    Harold "Jiggs" Lemley (pedal steel player with Patsy Kline, Hawkshaw Hopkins, Grand Ole Opry)
    Little Jimmy Reed

In the Orlando region, I have performed with:

Buster Kelley's B.K. & the Broilers
The Smokin' Torpedoes
Bird Dog Bobby & the Honeyhounds
Art Harris & the Z-Tones
Sarasota Slim
The Road Dawgs
Big Rick & the Troublemakers
King Rockahula
Kid Dutch & the Perseverance Hall Jazz Band
The Porchdogs
The Paul Stott group
Teague Stefan band
Dave 'the kid" Chmil
Tom Evan trio
Doc Williamson's Doc & the Healers
Fluffy Gun

Prior to moving to Orlando, in Fort Myers I performed with:

Greg Stott (RIP) & the Windy City Blues Band
Punda Melia Reggae Band
Sundown - CMA Award winning band
Anti-M

 

Instruction

* Experienced private instructor, conducted master class, designed curriculum, implemented multiple teaching styles

* World Percussion Festival funk drumming instructor, Berklee College of Music 2005

Professional Studies

  1. Jim Chapin - Author, Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer I & II
  2. Les DeMerle - Les DeMerle Transfusion featuring Bonnie Eisele, Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer
  3. Frank Briggs - Atlantic Starr, 805, Author
  4. Robert K. Schmidt - noted Broadway Pit Drummer/Jazz Master

Endorsements

Fibes Drums, Xilxo Cymbals

Recordings

  1. King Rockahula - Ain't Doin Too Bad
  2. Porchdogs - Fido on the Bayou
  3. Anti M
  4. Sundown (FL CMA Band of the Year)
  5. Punda Melia
  6. Numerous tracks at Schuler Studios in Framingham, MA and Club 69 Studios, and Full Sail in Orlando, FL
  7. Dozens of band demos