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Dave Weckl
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Who I Am & Where I Live
- Name: Dave Weckl
- City: Los Angeles, California
- Country: United States
My Life & Work
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Bio:
Dave Weckl was born in St. Louis Missouri, January 8th, 1960. Though his parents were not professional musicians, his mother loved music and his father played the piano as a hobby. Weckl started drums at the age of 8, playing along to records in a spare room. He eventually moved his kit into the living room where he sometimes accompanied his father who played piano.
Early on, Weckl practiced to rock records by the Monkees, Credence Clearwater Revival, and more. Rock drumming came easily and his interest quickly turned to Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Philly Joe Jones, and Steve Gadd, to name a few. In his early teens, Weckl's passion for jazz and big band drumming reallly blossomed.
During his high school years, Weckl received many awards from the NAJE (National Association of Jazz Educators) for outstanding performances in his high school's competition-winning jazz band. He also became involved with numerous local groups starting at the age of 16 while studying with St. Louis-area teachers Bob Matheny and Joe Buerger.
1979 saw a move to the East coast and the University of Bridgeport. While playing the New York club scene with a band called Nite Sprite, Weckl started receiving accolades from established studio musicians such as Steve Kahn, Michael Brecker, and Peter Erskine. It was Erskine who recommended Weckl for his first 'big gig' with a group called French Toast, forerunner to the Michel Camilo band. That band featured iconic electric bass player Anthony Jackson.
From this group, Jackson recommended Weckl for the prestigious 1983 Simon and Garfunkel reunion tour. This got Weckl noticed by a much larger industry audience and lead to many session opportunities, including radio and TV jingles, sound track sessions, and top recording dates with George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Diana Ross, Robert Plant, and many more.
In 1985, Michael Brecker recommended Weckl to Chick Corea for his new Elektric Band. That was the beginning of a seven-year relationship with both the Elektric and Akoustic bands where nine recordings and three videos were produced. The Akoustic Band release earned Weckl a Grammy.
The Elektric Band showcased Weckl's cutting-edge drumming and innovative use of electronic and acoustic drums, bringing him worldwide recognition. Though the Elektric Band went on a 10-year hiatus in the early '90s, the band still tours from time-to-time. They released a 17-part conceptual album entitled To The Stars in mid-2004, and have reunited for tours in 2011 and 2016/17.
Weckl's solo career began in 1990 with the release of Master Plan. Co-written/produced with longtime St. Louis friend/colleague Jay Oliver, the album was a watershed moment in Weckl's career. Some would say it ushered in a new generation of contemporary drumming.
Master Plan featured a dynamic and diverse collection of tracks featuring top jazz artists of the time. The album created a palette for Weckl's wide-ranging abilities in jazz, fusion, and Latin-inspired music, solidifying him as an emerging leader in the drumming world.
The album's title track, written and performed by Chick Corea, featured Weckl and Steve Gadd on drums. Weckl had been seen as a protege to Gadd and their styles meshed perfectly on the track. But in many ways, the tune marked a "passing of the torch" in terms of next-generation artistry on the drums.
Weckl has recorded and produced nine other solo/leader recordings to date. In addition to Master Plan, Heads Up and Hard-Wired earned him great notoriety in the early '90s.
In 1998, Weckl realized his long-time goal of forming a world-touring band. The Dave Weckl Band released five studio records, including: Rhythm Of The Soul, Synergy, Transition, Perpetual Motion, and Multiplicity. The band also released a hot live album, LIVE (And Very Plugged In) plus a compilation of DWB and instructional videos entitled The Zone.
Instructional videos have always played a big role in Weckl's career. His original product, entitled Contemporary Drummer + 1, was one of the first play-along products ever published for drums. His Back To Basics and The Next Step releases were best-sellers in the '90s and also continue to sell today.
Weckl updated his technical approach in the '90s after studying with Freddie Gruber. He then released a three-part series of videos called A Natural Evolution, which included an appearance by Gruber. These products redefined earlier concepts to help drummers understand how to play in a relaxed, efficient, and musical way. They also helped solidified Weckl's stature as an articulate and respected teacher. His clinics and master classes continue to attract capacity crowds worldwide.
After many years of sideman work with guitar legend Mike Stern, Chris Minh Doky's Nomads, Oz Noy, and more, Weckl spent 2013 reuniting with Jay Oliver. They launched a crowd funding campaign that attracted more than 2,000 pre-orders of a project that would eventually be called Convergence.
The album featured 10 tunes, including piano and drum solo pieces and a remake of Stevie Wonder's legendary tune "Higher Ground." The video of "Higher Ground" has been viewed millions of times on YouTube and Facebook. Drummer Chris Coleman, bassist Jimmie Johnson, guitarist Dean Brown, singer Chrissi Poland, and several amazing horn players and vocalists took part.
The project also saw collaborations with Canadian singer Emilie-Claire Barlow and Riverdance creator Bill Whelan. Oliver recorded several native Irish instruments at Whelan's personal studio in Ireland.
Convergence was released with three companion products: a play-along package for drums, a play-along package for all other instruments on the album, and a full-length documentary entitled Flies On The Studio Wall.
In 2015, Weckl formed an acoustic jazz group with longtime friend/collaborator Tom Kennedy (bass), Gary Meek (sax), and Makoto Ozone (piano/B3). The group was called The Dave Weckl Acoustic Band. To date, the band has released a CD entitled Of The Same Mind and a live DVD filmed at Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood.
More recently, Weckl has returned to touring with the Elektric Band, Mike Stern, and Oz Noy, while completing sessions in his Los Angeles-area home studio. He has also formed an online school with comprehensive lessons, new play along products, and live footage from current tours.
He says "it is my goal to inspire as many young (and not-so-young) people as possible to want to play music, whether it be on drums or another instrument. With all the negatives in the world today, I feel this is my way of contributing a positive action toward spiritual happiness, which music can be a big part of, if you let it. So parents, if your child has a talent for music, please allow them the opportunity to develop that
talent!"
Outside of music, Weckl has a passion for automobiles and racing. He and his Corvette ZO6 regularly post competitive times at race tracks around Southern California. Check out his YouTube racing channel!
Beyond music and four-wheel indulgences, Dave's biggest passions and sources of inspiration come from his daughter, Claire, and his wife, Clivia.
A future college graduate (psychology), Claire definitely has the music gene. She sang an amazing version of "Cups (You're Gonna Miss Me)" for the Convergence album. Her talent, passion, and work ethic make her father proud every day.
Dave's wife, Clivia (also formerly a singer) has a love and passion for music - and an amazing energy for everything life has to offer. She and Dave share time both in Italy and Los Angeles.
My Media
- ▶ YouTube Music: http://music.youtube.com/channel/UCKUqitLj4mCgLecMoq376xA
- ▶ YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/davewecklmusic
- ▶ Twitter: davewecklmusic
- ▶ Instagram: officialdaveweckl
- ▶ Website: http://www.daveweckl.com
Click to Listen on Spotify
- ▶ (Album/Podcast 1): http://open.spotify.com/album/5BQLwvlvshgFMIJ8BymS4X
- ▶ (Album/Podcast 2): http://open.spotify.com/album/4vs7q8r35pyN3z4VIlSh1h
- ▶ (Album/Podcast 3): http://open.spotify.com/album/7zJPWOGX9SdA0HSkZD5qmS
- ▶ (Album/Podcast 4): http://open.spotify.com/album/4MVuqI7yD6iFQJRJ86TIu7
- ▶ (Album/Podcast 5): http://open.spotify.com/album/1ociuLesR6fsSFdoZFSrvG
- ▶ (Album/Podcast 6): http://open.spotify.com/album/67u5OJie3tI9ik2LY94zra
Contact Information
- Email: questions@daveweckl.com
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Management/Booking:
Worldwide Bookings (except for Europe)
Janet Willliamson
The Janet Williamson Music Agency
323.661.0800 phone
323.906.8797 fax
jwilliamsonmusagency@earthlink.net
www.janetwilliamsonmusicagency.com
European Bookings
Patrizio Chiozza
Emmeci SRL
+39-0734633545 phone/fax
+39-3483820192- cell
patriziochiozza@gmail.com
www.emmeci.biz
Business Proposals / Endorsement Requests / Interviews and Media
Please submit all business proposals, endorsement requests, and interview/media requests to:
Steven Orkin
Orkin Marketing/Management
steve@orkinmarketing.com
www.orkinmarketing.com
My Instruction:
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Lessons/Workshops:
What is the Dave Weckl Online School?
An Encyclopedia of Dave...fully updated and always evolving.
Dave Weckl has spent a lifetime developing a sound and a style that has inspired drummers worldwide. Filmed in HD from multiple angles, with sound mixed by Dave, he uses the limitless space of the online environment to fully explain everything. Every nuance of technique, setup, musicality, tuning, and more, is presented and demonstrated as only Dave can do. And it's perfect for drummers of all ages and playing levels.
An Interactive Community that YOU Can Take Part In...
Your membership includes our PRIVATE Facebook group where Dave, his staff, and Artist Relations professionals from Yamaha, Sabian, Vic Firth, and Remo, will participate. Upload your videos and exchange feedback with Dave and other members. We'll occasionally run webinars where you can interact with Dave in real time.
Material That Goes Beyond Licks and Chops...
Dave is including full play along packages that he sells on his Web site. You can download charts and minus-drum tracks to practice to and use for new recordings. He's also filming lessons with musicians such as Tom Kennedy, Mike Stern, Oz Noy, and Dom Famularo. And he's filming tunes and drum solos during all of his tours, which he bundles with a lesson "from the hotel," and gives to you.
A Tool for Drum Teachers...
Dave's Affiliate Program pays teachers back for every student they bring in to the Online School. It's easy to get started, and all of the lessons in Dave's school provide endless material to work on with drummers of all ages. Teachers: once you sign up for the school, write to us to get things up and running.
Something Different. Something better...
There are plenty of YouTube videos and other sites that teach "licks" and fragments of drumming concepts. Dave wants to immerse you in the foundation of great drumming by passing on his knowledge and experience - the concepts and tools that have helped make him one of the world's great drummers. - Online Instruction: http://daveweckl.teachable.com
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▶ All explained inside the dot-defined window immediately below (curated artists below this window)... from Brazil, with love!
This matrix is predicated on the fact that fame & fortune are not inextricably linked to talent, dedication, and even genius.
Brazil has something called "jeitinho", the "little way". In a country where the official way is so often impossible, people have to be creative. Do end runs around problems and powers-that-be.
The matrix is jeitinho. All explained inside the dot-defined window immediately below. Matrix encompassed artists below the window.