After starting out as a young jazz drummer, I began to play parties, corporate gigs and weddings at the age of 17. This has always required playing the current pop hits of the day. This early experience has helped me in playing larger pop gigs by understanding how to properly play intros, (re)establish the groove during verses, elevate bridges, sell choruses, support the short solo, and drive home the chorus until the ending of the song. This is all done while settling or driving the band, making the groove dance, making the front people feel comfortable, directing the band into different sections of the song when needed and ending a song if none can be found at the moment. Playing pop music well isn't as easy as many people make it out to be, as I tell many a student. I feel fortunate to have had the experience of playing pop music for over 35 years at home and abroad, in small venues up to large outdoor amphitheaters.
Below: Studio footage of the rhythm section and vocalists from Akalibrio, an incredible group of world class musicians assembled by founder and composer Jim Warner. I've been a proud member since 2004. www.akalibrio.com