Louis Armstrong, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Gene Kruppa, Buddy Rich, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Art Blakey, Ed Thigpin, Don Henley, James Taylor
My earliest musical performance experiences were in school bands and choirs and Christmas Caroling with my church. I began playing and studying drums in the fifth grade. I continued and was a featured solo performer in a summer high school Big Band class while still in the eighth grade. In high school I played in every performance ensemble available.
I continued my music studies at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA. I studied jazz and took lessons from George Marsh in San Francisco. I was a regularly featured solo performer in our award winning Jazz Ensemble directed by Lyle Cruse. I also was a member of the popular Jazz/Rock group "Fafner". "Fafner" consisted of most of the first chair players from the Cabrillo College Jazz Ensemble, and was quite possibly the most creative band I have ever been in. I also tried my hand at playing guitar and concentrated on my singing with an acoustic duo called Gemini. The last band I had in Santa Cruz was Chameleon. Chameleon was a hybrid band with some heavy Latin influence. The band consisted of guitar, bass, keyboard, trap set and percussion. I learned a great deal about Afro-Cuban music from my partner and fellow drummer Michael Spiro. Most important for me, this band included my first song-writing collaborator, Todd Epstein on and guitar and vocals. Todd and I wrote several of the bands original songs and went on to write many more songs together.
My professional performing credits include tours, TV and recordings with: The Pointer Sisters, Maria Muldaur, The Cockrell-Santos Band, Elvin Bishop, The Tom Johnston Band (original and founding member of the Doobie Brothers), The Texas Chainsaw Band, Hearts on Fire (a Bammie Award winning Country band), Peter Rowan, Norton Buffalo, Roy Rogers (the blues guy), songwriter Alex Call, Johnny Colla (from Huey Lewis & the News) and the Lucky Devils, as well as a recent stint with rockabilly guitarist and Grammy nominee Bill Kirchen.
I currently perform with Crazy Ivan – Tuolumne County’s Premier Rock and Soul Party Band, The Blue Food Rock and Soul Orchestra, Columbia College Big Band – Big Band music that spans the 20’ to the 90’s, The Rod Harris Kicks Band – a smaller version of the CC Big Band, Sagebrush – A fun country and bluegrass outfit, and my newest project The WaterFall Jazz Trio – A vocal jazz trio featuring The Saloon Singers Show with special guests.
Jim!!! Playing at the Casino was waaay too much fun! Unbelievable. I wish I could go see you guys play tomorrow night, have a great show! Love and music- kw
Hey Jim E - great show at the WCL Thursday, you are really in your element when doing those classic standards and jazz tunes. You are a treasure in Tuolumne County, a lot like the gold those miner's found in the 1800's.
It was so good to see you last night! And the concert of course was a blast. Those three just blow me away, it was more than worth the trip up from Stockton. She is such an inspiration to me, I can't wait for them to come back again. Take care! Krista
Did ya' check out the Buddy Rich thing? I'll send it to you if you can't find it...nice playin' last night, always great to have you behind me driving the groove!
Jimmy my man,
You nailed the tunes the other night at the Queen Bean. I am so impressed by the way you support the songs, I think it has a lot to do with that your a great vocalist also. Please call me to play anytime. Thanks Jim
Hey, Godfather of drums! How u doing? I miss u and playing with someone who is at ur level! well i'm going to catch up to u some day cuz only the worst apprentice doesn't become better than his master ;) L8r man
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