Drummers: Tony Williams, Paul Motian, Max Roach, Jo Jones, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Levon Helm, John Bonham, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Philly Joe Jones, Kenny Clarke, Art Blakey, Frankie Dunlop, Dan Weiss, Gerald Cleaver, Kenny Wollesen, Joey Baron, Lewis Nash, Billy Hart, Ben Riley, Al Foster, Victor Lewis, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Mintz, Tom Rainey, Vernell Fournier.........
My teachers: Vince Sperrazza, Rick Compton, Horacee Arnold, John Riley, Bill Goodwin, Paul Caputo, Rajesh Prasad.
My biggest influences: my peers, my students, and my family.
Drummer Vinnie Sperrazza gained his first professional experiences in the Utica, NY area, before moving to New Jersey to study at William Paterson University. While at William Paterson, he met and began working with the great jazz pianist James Williams, starting a musical relationship that lasted until Mr. Williams’ passing in July 2004.
Moving to Brooklyn in 2002, he began involving himself in the borough’s thriving creative music scene, and is currently leading two projects. The Vinnie Sperrazza-Matt Blostein Band features original music and draws on a diverse array of musical styles and experiences. Their first album, "Ursa Minor", was released in January 2008 on the Ann Arbor-based Envoi Recordings label. Since October 2008, they have travelled to Toronto, Pittsburgh, and central New York state, giving concerts and club appearances, as well performing workshops and clinics. In February and March 2009, they embarked on a weekly residency at Brooklyn's I-Beam Music, including shows featuring special guests Brad Shepik and Tony Malaby. A tour of the midwest is planned for the fall of 2009.
In April 2009, Fresh Sound Records released the first album by the Vinnie Sperrazza Trio, "Peak Inn", featuring pianist Jacob Sacks and bassist Dave Ambrosio in a program of free improvisation, original compositions, and standards. Additionally, a trio album, featuring Sperrazza, Sacks, and bassist Masa Kamaguchi was recorded in the summer of 2008 in Barcelona. Produced by Jordi Pujol for Fresh Sound Records and consisting solely of jazz classics and standards, the record is in the works for a late 2009 release.
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Hey Vinnie, just stopped bye to send best wishes. Dig your playing man, just great. Hope to catch you playin one of these days, maybe with Noah. Hope all is cool. My best to your dad. All the best, Mike Augeri.
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