Thanks Kevin- I hadn't seen this. John Hoik still has the custom Avedis Zildian cymbal I sold him back in college. Never should have done that.
Too bad the sound absolutely sucks on this.
Too bad the sound absolutely sucks on this.
What music are you listening to NOW?
- Thread starter Kevin
- Start date
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #1,682
Are you a drummer? Several of us on here.
Yes. Classically trained. However... if I had a nickel for every dive I played, I'd be rich today.
I had a good teacher:
He graduated with honors from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Mass., and was a percussion student at the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, Mass., where he was a student of Leonard Bernstein.
As a concert percussionist, my teacher was a member of the Portland, Maine, Springfield, Mass., and Albany symphonies. He was also a member of the Boston Pops Orchestra, where he toured with Arthur Fiedler, and the Pittsburgh Symphony under William Steinberg.
He worked under conductors such as Aaron Copland, Andre Kostelanetz, Igor Stravinsky, Charles Munch, Lorin Maazel and Leonard Bernstein.
He taught percussion at Niskayuna High School for 10 years and at his private drum studio for 25 years. He also taught percussion at the University at Albany. I studdied with him at that time.
He played local theater percussion at the Four Seasons Dinner Theater; the Saratoga Spa Music Center; the Empire State Music Theater; the Schenectady Light Opera Company; and the Playhouse in the Park. He was also a community music director.
He had a little jazz group called the Blue Moods, and they played upstate NY around Lake Placid and Lake George. Great teacher - all around good guy.
Wasn't thrilled with the rock groups I played with. Wanted me to go to Juilliard. Oh well.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #1,684
Very impressive. When you drop names like you have and a list with such a pedigree you must have some serious chops (and great stories). I hope to hear them both (chops and stories) one day! I am but a humble percussionist who only studied under John J Papastefan (The Mad Greek) under a double-dipping scholarship paid for by both the University of Southern Alabama and the USCG. I'm probably the only guy on planet earth that ever double-dipped from both scholarship pools for beating a drum.
Being classically trained doesn't necessarily make a great musician. Thanks for the comments, but I'm sure you could out-chop me any day. I'm so out of practice. Excuses excuses, right?
Check this out :
I attended their last concert in Boston at the Back Bay Theatre. Somewhere I have a pair of sticks Joe gave me from that show.
I like the idea that drummers can become musicians and not just time keepers.
Check this out :
I attended their last concert in Boston at the Back Bay Theatre. Somewhere I have a pair of sticks Joe gave me from that show.
I like the idea that drummers can become musicians and not just time keepers.
Last edited:
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #1,686
I've linked the very vid here. I accidentally insulted Joe one time. I will never forget it.
I used to be a drum roadie. Does that count?
Cool as a cucumber all the way through...
I did the same to Gene Krupa. He was so old and blind I didn't know who he was. Once I found out I apologized profusely and we had a great conversation. I was young and dumb. What can you say.
Athis guy was playing the ratiest drum kit you ever saw at Roth's in downtown Schenectady, NY.
I insulted his kit and he said " kid - if you're any good, you can make even this pile of sh!t sound like new Slingerlands." Then he just made them sing.
Good lesson. Has stuck with me all these years.
Athis guy was playing the ratiest drum kit you ever saw at Roth's in downtown Schenectady, NY.
I insulted his kit and he said " kid - if you're any good, you can make even this pile of sh!t sound like new Slingerlands." Then he just made them sing.
Good lesson. Has stuck with me all these years.
Last edited:
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #1,690
You caught him coherent at your age then when he was was in his latter years? ? You REALLY DID catch lighting!!!!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #1,691
I used to be a drum roadie. Does that count?
No. That's from a real drummer.
Krupa played all the way up until '72.
I saw him in '66 at Roths. He was pretty blind, but man could he still play.
I actually learned a lot from him.
that's a rock drummer IMHO couldn't resist 
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #1,696
If you saw that you saw lightning in a bottle. Way cool!
(Joe was also blind for a long time)
Ok...weird kick today. found these interesting playlists on the tube, been listening to stuff called Epic Musical motivational yadda yadda...
anyhow, here's one you's may like...
anyhow, here's one you's may like...
Had to look him up, now I know why it seemed familiar, I'm a fan of Dave Brubeck and the various incarnations of his Trios and Quartets.
Joe Morello was the first drummer to break the "time Keeper" barrier as far as I know. His solo on Take 5 and his method of playing on Take 5 (and many others) is legendary. He was just incredible in his day.
He's pretty great still - not sure if he's still alive....
He's pretty great still - not sure if he's still alive....
Nope, He's been dead since 2011