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Musician • Actor • Photographer
SAG-AFTRA | Asheville, NC
SAG-AFTRA | Asheville, NC
“My one thing is, I continue to be interested and want to be a student. I don’t want to be a master. When I’m learning something, I’m in my element.”
photography by: André Felix
Welcome to my website
Please contact me regarding all
Drum Clinics - Lessons and Events.
Sports Reporter - Teen Wolf Too - 1987
Police Officer - Shakedown on the Sunset Strip - 1988
Hangin’ out with Kiko and El Negro at NAMM.
Good Hands Drum Shop Grand Opening with Stanton Moore.
CYMBAL NEWS: So excited to be part of the creative process and playing “Mongiello Cymbals” where the art and dedication to cymbal-making is such a passion!
NEWS: My drum clinics on “Craviotto Drums”.
NEWS: My great buddy Fred Beato makes the best drum bags in the business and I’m so glad to have my drums protected with “Beato Bags”.
Pictured in my first band TASKA - 1972
Pictured with TASKA at Los Alisos Jr High - 1973
The Dynamic Les DeMerle at the Amelia Island Jazz Festival.
Working with the kids at KidWorks in Santa Ana, CA. Let’s all work to GET KIDS DRUMMING! - nilesproject.com
DM my Instagram or email drummersmrc@gmail.com for lessons in the Asheville, NC area.
The next generation at my drum clinics working with the annual Amelia Island Jazz Festival and Nile’s Project.
NEWS: Look forward to be doing more gigs with my two long-time friends Ernie and Tom who I’ve work with on my album projects and concerts.
The Piano Trio
Joe DeRenzo / Ernie Nuñez / Tom Zink
Sittin’ in at the legendary Professional Drum Shop in Hollywood, CA with Jerry Keyawa and his Vintage Ludwig kit.
Recording Studio - Edmonton, Alberta - 1983
News & Events:
New Vibraphone build. Deagan Vibra-Harp bars circa 1930s installed on new frame atop a König & Meyer piano stand. Rebuild completed on June 17th, 2024.
Saw all my friends at the Las Vegas Drum Show this past March 30th.
Chicago Drum Show - 2017
Craviotto Factory - 2023
New custom Craviotto bebop kit with
Zenzero Sparkle lacquer finish.
18" - 14" - 12" | 14" x 5" Snare
New drum build with Craviotto repair
and floor tom conversion bass drum.
Craviotto Bass Drum 16"x13"
( Stellar Maple Hoops with danish oil )
Craviotto Snare Drum 14"x 5"
( Peacock Sparkle lacquer finish )
Rack Tom 12"x 7" - Floor Tom 14"x 11"
( Keller Maple 8 ply shells with rounded bearing edges )
Antique Marine Pearl wrap from Precision Drum
( Gibraltar 8700 vintage style stands )
foreground photo: Shelly Manne
Author: Drummers of Melody, Rhythm & Creativity
subscribe to the book's YouTube channel
Louie Bellson
I first met Louie while I was still in High School and playing in the MVHS Stage Band. In 1975 Louie would’ve been around 51 and at the height of his powers. I would catch his “Big Band Explosion” at Disneyland’s Tomorrow Land Stage and Carnation Gardens where I also saw Stan Kenton and Buddy Rich’s bands. Louie was such a huge influence on me and my approach to Swing Music. I just feel so fortunate to have had the chance to hear him along with Buddy, Tony Williams and other great drummers of the day. Great memories. Thanks Louie.
Joe Sample
I only got to see and hear the Jazz Crusaders one time, but thank goodness for that opportunity as the band from Houston, Texas was a huge musical influence on me coming up. Stix Hooper’s Jazz and R&B drumming informs my own playing to this day. But even more, is the piano style and compositions of Joe Sample. The soulful cuts “Freedom Sounds” and “Sweetwater” are just two of Joe’s tunes that really strike a chord with this devoted fan. Thanks Joe.