Billy Ward is from Cincinnati Ohio. When he was nine, he began formal drum lessons with well-known local drummer, Jack Volk. "Mr. Volk was a stickler for holding the sticks properly, reading music and independence. He was a great teacher." While in the fifth grade, Billy began playing with local bands. Billy listened to, and tried to play, all kinds of music; from James Brown to Miles Davis; The Who to Charles Mingus.
At the age of fifteen, Billy got his first studio experience when he became the house drummer for a local Cincinnati gospel recording studio/label. While attending The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Billy says: "I had a technical gig mixing the sound at a Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis concert in Cincinnati and I met Mel Lewis, who said I needed to go to New York (to Frank Ippolito's Drum Shop) to get a set of K. Zildjian (Istanbul) cymbals. This was during the early 70's. In New York, I selected a set of K's with assistance from Papa Jo Jones, who was just hangin' out at the shop that
day!!!"
"I also got an extremely influencial drum lesson with Elvin Jones that, due to his generosity, lasted six hours! I will always be indebted to Mr. Jones for the many gifts he shared that day." Billy quit the conservatory in the second year when he realized that he wanted to play jazz and rock. "Counting two hundred and ten measures to play a two measure chime part wasn't my thing." His symphonic career ended, it was off to North Texas State University; a jazz school that emphasized playing ...
Jon Carroll is a Lansing/Michigan State University based drummer available for project or session gigs!
Jon has been a working project drummer for thirteen years, specializing in rock, funk and rockabilly music. During that time, he has performed in assorted venues across the country, and he has recorded with both regional and national recording artists. Jon has also been a member of the Wright State University Concert Band, Dayton, Ohio and a private percussion instructor. Jon Carroll is one of the most active recording and performing drummers in the Lansing/Mid-Michigan area.
Jon's musical influences include Bob Mould, The Smiths, Morrissey, Peter Gabriel, Steely Dan, Living Colour, Foo Fighters, Weezer, Emily's Motives, and many others. Jon's drumming influences include Kenny Aronoff, Will Calhoun, Manu Katche, Vinnie Colaiuta, Craig Carroll, John Taylor, Dave Weckl, Neil Peart, as well as a host of other great drummers.
Jon holds a B.A. in Anthropology, and a Master of Humanities (M. Hum) degree, both from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University. An aspiring archaeologist, Jon's research is focused on prehistoric social dynamics in the Great Lakes region of North America ...
Yoron Israel's website features reviews, sound bites, itinerary.
biography, cds, drum set-up.
Yoron Israel, a native Chicagoan, is one of the most gifted and sought after musicians in the music industry today. Yoron's exciting and tasteful drumming, along with his compositional talents are spotlighted throughout his CD's. They are "Basic Traneing" (Ronja Music Company), "Chicago" (Double Time), "Live at the Blue Note" (Half Note), "A Gift for You" (re-released in 2005 by Ronja Music Company) All of these fine works have received enthusiastic praise from journalists, musical peers and fans alike. The CD's represent the extensive depth of Yoron Israel's musicianship as he continues to evolve as a leader. He brings his unique influences and experiences in the Jazz, Latin, Gospel, Funk, R & B and Orchestral idioms full circle with his compositions, arrangements, repertoire and ensemble concepts. "Music to be enjoyed by all". As Jack DeJohnette quotes, "A Gift for You" is a sparkling musical offering from a drummer who has good taste. He has a sense of direction and a feeling of joy in his drumming, compositions and arrangements. Yoron Israel is an important voice you should listen to."
"Basic Traneing", reached number three on the National Jazz charts in 2004. It features his current trio "Organic" with organist Kyle Koehler, guitarist Ed Cherry, along with special guests Jay Hoggard (vibraphone/marimba) and Billy Pierce (tenor and soprano saxophone).
The recording "Chicago", released in 2000 features saxophonist Joe Lovano, organist Larry Goldings and guitarist Marvin Sewell. "Organic" performs original compositions associated with the soulful organ legacy of Jimmy Smith, Larry Young and Lonnie Smith as well as arrangements of "standards" that bridge the gap between musical styles, highlighting the versatility and virtuosity of the musicians ...
Buster Birch, freelance drummer and percussionist:
Hello and welcome to my web site. Finally, a chance to have everything all together in one place. Being a self-employed freelance musician I find myself working in a wide variety of musical spheres. When performing this can vary between jazz groups, orchestras, covers bands, cabaret and musical theatre. When teaching this can range from one-to-one lessons to percussion groups and larger scale workshops. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like further information about anything contained in this website.
Playing professionally since his teens, Buster is a very experienced musician in many fields of music. He has a degree in music from the University of London and a post-graduate diploma in jazz performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (where he was able to meet and play with Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Billy Cobham and Dave Liebman, not to mention most of London's top jazz musicians who tutor at the college). Whilst living in New York, he also studied at the Drummers Collective in Manhattan and privately with Jim Chapin and Joe Morello (of The Dave Brubeck Quartet).
He has travelled extensively as a musician and has now played in over 30 countries with various jazz ensembles, orchestras and shows.
His experience in playing jazz is considerable and includes big-bands to small groups. He regularly plays with many of the up-coming "young lions" on the London jazz scene, but particularly enjoys working with the "more mature" generation of British jazz veterans, who he finds very inspiring.
His experience of orchestral playing is quite substantial for someone who has chosen not to specialise in that field and includes playing for The Sarum Chamber Orchestra and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
He also has extensive experience in musical theatre, having played for countless shows in various theatre pits in the uk and abroad. These include West Side Story, Chess, South Pacific, A Chorus Line, Annie, Five Guys Named Mo, La Cage Aux Folles, Little Shop of Horrors, Les Miserables, Chicago, The King and I, My Fair Lady, Oliver and many more! ...
Kevin Twigg, drummer:
I was born and raised on the south shore of Long Island, NY in 1956. My parents were Brooklyn born, and moved out to the suburbs on the the heels of the Levitown craze. I have 3 sisters and a brother. My brother moved to Florida with my folks, but the rest of us live within 20 minutes of where we were raised. I guess we liked the sunny south shore!
My earliest drumming memories are of Holiday parades and the swing records that my father listened to. Those drums really touched my soul! I would get great adreneline rushes when I heard the power of the drums. By the second grade, I started banging on laundry hampers that I turned upside.
At the end of the third grade, the band teacher was recruiting students for the next year. 30 future drummers showed up to get the opportunity to bounce each individual (borrowed) stick on the drum three times.That was the first time I ever played a real drum. MAN, WAS I HOOKED!!!!! The teachers name was George Raynor, and he was a true bandsmith. For concerts he would dress up in a Sousa-like uniform, and when he lifted his baton, he got respect! ...
New York All State Orchestra 1974
Performed with Cosmopolitan Symphony in Alice Tully Hall- Gerald Swartz conductor
Recording sessions with Marty Henne and Jeff Ganz- several singers including Barbara Smith(Cover Girl model and restaurant owner) and Donna Pescow(Saturday Night Fever, Angie Show, Out of this World). Donna later got Geri and I in for taping of her TV show in L.A. -sat next to Sarah Purcell.
Worked in collaboration with Composer- Jazz Pianist- Mary Lou Williams for performance of "Mary Lou's Mass" at the Interchurch Center, 155th St., New York,NY I got Chip Watterson to play guitar,Kenny Kirkland to play piano and Cecil McBee,Jr. to play bass(1976).
Jim Priess sounded myself and Joe Aebig to rehearse with Steve Reich Ensemble for a work in progress(1978).
assembled an entire volunteer orchestra of MSM students to record two pop arrangements for Doug Hoefer, Larry Wolf, Dave Signorelli, Bill Bebee( Speakeasy). A huge learning experience! ...