Instruments/Gear
Drum Workshop 10 12 14 20
Various Ludwig snares
Zildjian,Istanbul,Wuhan,Bosphorus cymbals
Joined The Band
Abducted by silver men. Awoke on stage in South Shields 2005.
Odd now I think of it……………………
Formal Musical Education
Nothing formal in the way of college. Drum lessons from Graham Nock, Mal Garrett, Mark Fletcher. Great inspiration,encouragement and recommended listening from all!
Walsall Jazz Orch provided great opportunity to develop from 1991 onwards.
Influences Other Than Steely Dan
Drummers:Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Peter Erskine, John Bonham, Billy Cobham, Lenny White, Steve Jordan, Stevie Wonder, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jack Dejohnette, Bill Stewart, Brian Blade, Mark Fletcher, Tony Levin.
Music:Led Zep, Doobies, Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis, Weather Report, Yellowjackets, Gentle Giant, Wayne Shorter, Rickie Lee Jones, Average White Band, Quincy Jones, Zappa.
Favourite Steely Dan Songs
IMPOSSIBLE!!! AAAARRRGH! Aja, Gaucho, Scam, Charlemagne, Pretzel Logic…………where to stop……………?
Favourite or Interesting Nearly Dan Experience
The search for “grease” after gigs-regardless of time/location!
Arriving at Mr Kyp’s in Poole, after 4 hour plus journey, without my sticks.
Always love the gigs but last Jazz Café one I did stands out in my mind as being particularly good.
Essential Listening
(ok,deep breath……and…..)
Any Steely Dan/Fagen
Stevie Wonder(Songs in the Key of Life, Talking Book, Innervisions)
Joni Mitchell(Hissing of Summer Lawns, Hejira, Mingus, Shadows and Light, Wild Things Run Fast)
Any Yellowjackets
Any Weather Report
Any Rickie Lee Jones
Zeppelin 1 2 3 4 Houses of Holy, Physical Graffitti
Me’shell NdegeOcello(Plantation Lullabies, Peace Beyond Passion)
Steps Ahead,Paradox
Chick Corea(Friends,3 Quartets,Leprechaun)
Ben Sidran(Cat in The Hat)
Any Gentle Giant
Wayne Shorter(Speak no Evil, any with Elvin Jones/Tony Williams)
Miles Davis(any but especially Nefertiti and albums of same/similar line up and Kind of Blue)
Zappa(late 70s Joe’s Garage, Man from Utopia etc)
Quincy Jones
Rufus( Stompin’ at the Savoy)
Michael Ruff(Once in a Lifetime)