This is the place where you can learn about projects I'm involved with, where I'm playing and with whom I've recorded. You can check out my books and the other publications I've been part of too. I've also included an update on my instruments, what I'm playing and why I'm playing it. Please feel free to explore and, if you'd like, leave a message on the "Comments" or "Message" sections.
I will be continually updating and expanding this page so visit often.
Thanks,
John
BIOGRAPHY:
John began playing drums at age eight, after receiving a snare drum as a gift. With the support, encouragement and patience of his parents, John and Mary Ann, he played in the school band and began drum lessons with a good local teacher, Tom Sicola. While under Tom's guidance, he gained control of the snare drum through work on the rudiments and reading. Eventually, he acquired a complete drumset and lessons expanded to include "beats of the day," coordination and reading studies for the drumset. At age twelve, John began playing in rock bands and heard his first jazz recordings, the soundtrack to The Gene Krupa Story and Max Roach's Conversation. Two years later, he played his first "professional" gig, which he obtained through an audition played over the telephone. John began studying with Joe Morello in 1971, after meeting him at a drum symposium. John went on to attend the University of North Texas, where he was introduced to a larger world of music and percussion. While at UNT, he played in, toured, and recorded with the famed One O'clock Lab Band. In 1976, he moved to New York City and was soon called to join the Woody Herman Band. Following that great experience, John returned to New York and began freelancing with a wide spectrum of world class musicians including Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Bob Mintzer, Gary Peacock, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, John Patitucci, Bob Berg, and many others.
John has a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music in jazz studies from Manhattan School of Music. He is on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music, and SUNY Purchase, and is an Artist in Residence at Amsterdam Conservatory, Holland. John is also the author of The Art of Bop Drumming, Beyond Bop Drumming, The Jazz Drummer's Workshop, and has taught master classes around the world.
It was great to meet you at PASIC this last weekend, John. Look forward to seeing you around other trade shows, and hopefully when I move out to NYC. Take care sir, and thank you for writing down what came to mind..it's helped me as well as my students and will continue for a long time to come.
I'm proud to give you "Heavy In The Beats Vol. 1 - A Different Drum", the first installment in my FREE mixtape series dedicated to drums and percussion. "Volume 1" focuses on the avant garde side of the instrument, and features pieces from Billy Martin (of Medeski Martin & Wood), myself, and others!
(you have to copy and paste the link on myspace for some reason)
WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, HUBERT SUMLIN, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, IRA COLEMAN, PETER ERSKINE, JERRY JUMONVILLE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, BILL BRUFORD, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, DJ RE-MIXES, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems. Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
Thanks for the add. I love the "Art of Bop Drumming" book and CD. I look forward to buying your latest publications. BTW, I enjoyed your participation and insight on Steve Smith's Jazz Legacy DVD. Your perspective made a difference. Thanks.
Congrats on the Modern Drummer feature article. It's obviously well-deserved. I continue to be amazed by your oratory skills. You could literally write a book or article by talking into a recording device and then have someone else type it out. I'm eagerly awaiting my copy of "The Master Drummer".
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