Peter Erskine began playing the drums at the age of four, and has now been at the forefront of world-class jazz ensembles for thirty years. His first major professional work was with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, which he joined in 1972. After a three year stint with Kenton and a two year stay with Maynard Ferguson, he joined Weather Report in 1978. The excellence of the partnership between Erskine and bassist Jaco Pastorius was an integral part of that group's success.
Following his 4 years in Weather Report (having recorded five albums with them including the Grammy Award winning "8:30"), he began to play with Mike Brecker, Mike Mainieri, Don Grolnick and Eddie Gomez in the group Steps Ahead . His other touring and recording credits (400 albums) include Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Gary Burton & Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Kurt Elling, Sadao Watanabe, Eliane Elias, Mike Stern, Miroslav Vitous and Jan Garbarek; the BBC Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Ensemble, Ensemble Modern, the ASKO, Avanti & Absolute Ensembles; "Bass Desires " (with John Scofield, Bill Frisell, and Marc Johnson), the John Abercrombie Trio, the Kenny Wheeler Quintet & Big Band , the Bob Mintzer Big Band , the Yellowjackets as well as his own groups, including Trios with John Taylor, Palle Danielsson, Rita Marcotulli, and his current band with Alan Pasqua and Dave Carpenter ...
Welcome to the official site of New York City drummer Brian Czach.
Brian Czach's career has taken him all over the world time and again. Making his living as a successful freelance musician based in New York City has allowed Brian to perform in all different musical styles and genres while continuing to challenge him to grow. "I enjoy playing in different contexts all the time. I love playing in a big band one night and then having to switch gears and play in a rock group, or a swingin' jazz trio the next night." For Brian, the energy on stage sets the tone and Brian will continue to be inspired.
Born into a musical family in suburban Ballston Lake, New York, Brian can’t remember a time when he didn’t play the drums. What he does remember is sitting in front of the stereo speakers while his Dad played old Blood Sweat & Tears, Sly and the Family Stone, and King Curtis albums. At age 9, he started taking private drum lessons with an instructor by the name of Don Bush. Mr. Bush helped Brian develop very strong rudimental and sight reading skills. By age 11, Brian was playing professionally with the Revelaires, his family’s wedding band on weekends.
In high school, Brian started listening to jazz music. Brian gained performing experience in the school orchestras and jazz bands along with his friends in the rock group Bluesnick, while continuing to play with the Revelaires. He played at many of the regional and state music conferences and was honored to be a part of the 1994 New York All-State Jazz Ensemble. He also performed regularly with the Empire State Jazz Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble based in Albany, New York.
He went on to attend the Ithaca College School of Music, where he studied percussion with world-renowned marimba player Gordon Stout and studied jazz with multi-talented Steve Brown. At this time, Brian was also performing with many groups outside of school such as Tony DeSare, The Strand, The Soulutions, Al Meixner Trio, and the Tim Collins Trio ...
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 ...
Not only is Victor one of the best sessions drummers there is, he also does song writing and music production too!
I discovered this talented musician when Dave Gahan came out with his solo cd "Paper Monsters". I saw them in concert and was amazed at how much fun Victor seems to have when he is performing. Then I caught him on an old Saturday Night Live show with Beck. Man this guy can play! So I started listening to some of the cds he has appeared on. I discovered all kinds of good music. If you have not heard of Victor check out my other pages.
Be sure to check out the Discography page to see the wide variety of music he has done.I bet you will find some very familiar artists!
Dave Dicenso is a drummer from Boston and Berklee College of Music Instructor.
Dave DiCenso is a drummer known for his big sound, deep pocket and soulful style - oh yeah....and some blazing chops. He has honed his style by touring and recording with a long and very diverse list of world renowned artists including pop legends Duran Duran, prog-rock icon Steve Morse, contemporary prog-rock master John Petrucci, NYC's hardcore pioneers Cro-Mags, blues-rock master Johnny A., fusion guru David Fiuczynski and contemporary-jazz virtuoso Hiromi. Along the way, he's worked with a host of incredible bass players including Anthony Jackson, Stu Hamm, and Dave LaRue. Dave has also been a featured performer at major percussion industry events including the Montreal Drum Festival, the Percussive Arts Society Convention, N.A.M.M., and Music MESA. He is sponsored by and has long-standing relationships with Zildjian Cymbal Co., Vater Percussion, Remo Inc., and Pearl Drums. Dave is also a gifted and exciting clinician as well as an Assistant Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music.
Growing up in the Boston area with a drumming father, Dave has been living drums since he was a toddler. After banging on his dad's drums for a couple of years, Dave began asking him for lessons at the ripe old age of four. It wasn't until a year later that he actually began studying. He quickly realized that "playing" drums was more fun then studying them. Though he tended to prefer playing football and baseball to practicing drums, Dave kept up his lessons for five years. Despite his father's large collection of jazz records, during this time period, Dave's ears and heart migrated to the backbeat music he was hearing on the radio. He particularly enjoyed the sounds of artists such as America, the Little River band, Bread, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, James Taylor, the Commodores, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, and Steely Dan.
At the age of ten, Dave decided to satisfy a long-standing craving to play the guitar. He took guitar lessons for the next five years while exploring heavier types of rock music. At this time, he began listening to artists such as Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Van Halen, Yes, Rush, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. Dave's first several public performances were as a guitar player in rock bands at local schools and VFW halls.
At the age of fifteen, Dave decided to pursue a professional drumming career. He began performing immediately at local schools, halls, clubs, and hotels. At seventeen, he began taking lessons again from his father and this time took his studying seriously. He was simultaneously learning music theory through private instruction on the piano. His listening pleasures were now including bands like Mötley Crue, Saxon, Queensryche, Michael Schenker Group, Metallica, and Slayer ...