Mark Guiliana
(David Bowie/Brad Mehldau)
Mark Guiliana has become
recognized as one of the world’s leading drummers, admired and
in demand across the spectrum from jazz to rock to electronic
music for his rhythmic sophistication, creative impulse and
individual sound.
He has been in the vanguard of drummers creating a new
vernacular on the instrument, blending virtuosity
on acoustic drums with artfully deployed electronic beats and
processing. Guiliana was chosen as Best Jazz Drummer in the
Modern Drummer Readers Poll 2017, while DownBeat dubbed him a
Rising Star in its Critics Poll. JazzTimes aptly proclaimed:
“Guiliana, a technical master with a rare sense of musicality,
has over the past decade become one of the most influential
drummers of his generation.”
Along with leading his own groups – the acoustic Mark Guiliana
Jazz Quartet and electronica-minded Beat Music – the drummer has
appeared on a string of acclaimed recordings with others. The
verve and precision of Guiliana’s drumming was a primer mover of
Blackstar, David Bowie’s multiple Grammy Award-winning final
album.
Guiliana teamed with keyboardist Brad Mehldau as the duo
Mehliana for the Nonesuch release Taming the Dragon, and he has
also collaborated with such artists as saxophonist Donny
McCaslin, guitar hero John Scofield, Soundgarden/Pearl Jam
drummer-songwriter Matt Cameron, neo-soul singer-songwriter
Meshell Ndegeocello, guitarist-vocalist Lionel Loueke, jazz
bassist Avishai Cohen, reggae/hip-hop artist Matisyahu and jazz
singer Gretchen Parlato.
Simon Phillips
(Jeff Beck/The Who/Toto/Protocol)
Simon Phillips is by far one of the world's most renowned and
respected drummers.
To date, he has toured and recorded with many bands and artists,
including: Mick Jagger, The Who, Jeff Beck, Toto, Jack Bruce,
Peter Gabriel, Joe Satriani, Tears for Fears, Judas Priest, Roxy
Music, Michael Schenker, Nik Kershaw, Phd., Al DiMeola, 801,
Pete Townshend, Russ Ballard, Robert Palmer, Stanley Clarke, The
Pretenders, Jon Anderson, Whitesnake and Dave Gilmour... to name
but a few.
In 1992 Simon decided to move to the USA, coinciding with being
asked to join Toto for their world tour. In 1997 Simon took a
break from Toto in order to reach a personal milestone: He took
his own band on tour, and for the first time he was the
bandleader, and it was his music. This great year included tours
of Europe, Japan and The United States, and a performance at The
North Sea Jazz Festival.
Expanding his career from drumming to writing solo projects,
Simon recorded his first album "Protocol" in 1988, followed by
"Force Majeure" in 1992. "Symbiosis", which he recorded in 1995,
was as spirited but more inspired than ever, and showed a change
of direction in the compositions. Simon likes to link his growth
in songwriting and new artistic depth to his move to the States.
The 1997 record "Another Lifetime" shows yet another layer of
his tremendously resourceful playing and an even more motivated
composing. "Out of the Blue", a live album, followed in 1998 and
in 1999 another complete change of style took place in his
latest record "Vantage Point", which is a pure, straight ahead
jazz album.
Yet another expansion to Simon's musical career is producing and
engineering, which he first started back in England with British
composer Mike Oldfield, working on three albums with him. Aside
from his solo projects, Simon also co-produced Toto's "Tambu" in
1995,followed by "Mindfields" in 1998. Simon was asked to
engineer the latest Toto album, and spent a couple of months
during the winter of2001/02 recording "Through the Looking
Glass" in his own studio.
In 2000 Simon took a break from Toto and recorded with Derek
Sherinian, formally of Dream Theater, as well as produced and
engineered "Inertia". The following year included the recording
of progressive band Planet X, "Moonbabies" and mixing a live CD
"Live From Oz".
Steve Smith
(Journey/Steps Ahead/Vital
Information)
Steve Smith is the iconic drummer best
known for his work with legendary rock band Journey. He is a
member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was named "one of
the 25 best drummers of all time" by Modern Drummer
magazine.
In 1976, Smith began his association with jazz-fusion by joining
violinist Jean-Luc Ponty's group and recording the 1977 landmark
fusion album Enigmatic Ocean. It was while touring with rocker
Ronnie Montrose a year later that Smith was asked to join the
popular rock band Journey which brought his playing to the
attention of a rock audience.
With Journey, Smith toured the world and recorded numerous
successful albums including
the immensely popular Escape (which includes the ubiquitous hit
song “Don’t Stop Believin’”)
and Frontiers, both of which garnered the band many Top 40 hits.
Journey’s albums have
sold in excess of 75 million copies worldwide to date. In 1985
Smith left Journey to pursue
his original passion, jazz, and to continue his developing
career as a session player,
bandleader and educator. Over the past 40 years, Smith has
played on hits with such diverse
artists as Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and Ray
Price.
Smith’s calendar often includes many drum clinics in which he is
able to display his
phenomenal techniques and concepts to drumming students around
the world. Smith's solos
and solid timekeeping served to gain him much acclaim from
sources such as Modern
Drummer magazine, whose readers voted him the #1 Fusion
Drummer of 2012 and 2105. In
2017 Steve topped an unprecedented three categories in the MD
poll: #1 Rock Drummer, #1
MVP and #1 Educational Product for his Hudson Music book/DVD
Pathways of Motion. In
2018 Modern Drummer readers voted Steve #1 Classic Rock Drummer.
Smith’s yearly touring commitments have included the all-star
jazz group Steps Ahead and
jazz-fusion virtuosos Hiromi, Mike Stern, Bill Evans, Randy
Brecker and tabla maestro Zakir
Hussain. Since 1983 Smith has led his own group Vital
Information, which is touring to
support their latest BFM Jazz release Heart Of The City.
Starting in 2019 Smith also tours
and records with his newest group, The Groove Blue Organ Trio,
featuring Tony Monaco on
Hammond B3 and Vinny Valentino on guitar.
In 2016 Smith rejoined Journey and on April 7, 2017 Steve Smith,
along with Journey band
members Gregg Rolie, Aynsley Dunbar, Neal Schon, Ross Valory,
Jonathan Cain and Steve
Perry, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Dave Weckl
(Chick Corea/Mike Stern Band/Solo)
For more than 40 years, Dave Weckl has
developed and maintained a reputation among fans, peers, and
the international music community, as one of the great living
drummers. His contributions to iconic music, music education,
and the gear that drummers use, are many. Modern Drummer
magazine has inducted Weckl into their Hall of Fame (2000) and
named him "one of the 25 best drummers of all time."
After becoming a first call session player in New York City,
Weckl joined Michel Camilo's band in the early 1980s. Camilo's
bassist, the iconic Anthony Jackson, recommended Weckl for the
prestigious 1983 Simon and Garfunkel reunion tour. This lead to
sessions 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 and the band is once again up
for a Grammy in 2022.
Weckl's solo career began in 1990 with the release of Master
Plan. Co-written/produced with longtime friend/colleague Jay Oliver
(Glenn Frey/Jimmy Buffett), the album was a watershed moment in
Weckl's career. Some would say it ushered in a new generation of
contemporary drumming. Weckl has recorded and produced nine
other solo/leader recordings to date.
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. The band reunited
for a show/DVD in 2019.
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
continues to update his teachings via The Dave Weckl Online
School.
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!"
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The Band |
Hagar Ben Ari
Bass Guitar
Hagar
Ben Ari is well known as the versatile bassist on
The Late Late Show with James Corden. Her
versatility comes from a foundation of education and
deep industry experience.
Hagar has studied classical composition and toured the
world as a rock musician. She has performed with dozens
of acts in New York and has toured with Moby and Sharon
Jones and the Dap-Kings. She supported Grace Potter
while opening for The Rolling Stones and Prince, and she has
performed in Kinky Boots on Broadway.
We are excited to welcome Hagar to our amazing Drum
Fantasy Camp band! |
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Mike Garson
Piano
Mike Garson, the legendary
pianist/composer, will join
the 2022 Drum Fantasy Camp staff. Mike will join
guitarist Vinny Valentino and bassist Hagar Ben Ari as a
co-instructor in Mark Guiliana's classes. All full-camp
attendees and those who purchase Mark's class separately
will get to learn with Mr. Garson. He will also sit in
at the opening concert.
Garson was David Bowie's longest-serving and most
frequently appearing band member. They appeared on stage
more 1,000 times together. Garson now heads up "A Bowie
Celebration," the annual tour that features top pop acts
paying tribute to David Bowie.
A true jazz master, Garson is equally comfortable and
welcomed in the pop world. He has recorded/performed
with Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, St. Vincent,
and many more. DFC attendees will benefit from Mike's
deep music knowledge. |
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Stu Mindeman
Keys
Stuart Mindeman is a versatile
pianist/keyboardistskilled in various styles of music
including Jazz, Pop, R&B, Classical, Salsa/Latin music,
Gospel, and more.
He has shared the stage with such names as Dave Weckl,
Tom Kennedy, Fareed Haque,
Gloria Estefan, Rodney Whitaker, Claudio Roditi, John
Clayton, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and many others.
He is also active in Chicago’s Theater community,
musically directing for The Second City, among others.
In addition to performing, Stuart maintains a private
studio, and is on faculty at the Chicago Academy for the
Arts. We're grateful to have this amazing talent at our
concerts and jams! |
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Chrissi Poland
Vocals, Keyboards
Chrissi Poland has been the heart
and soul of Drum
Fantasy Camp since it started in 2007!
A graduate of Berklee with a four-octave range, Chrissi
is the energetic leader of our Jam Nights and opening
concerts. A composer and recording artist in her own
right, Chrissi has toured/recorded with artists
including Moby, Bette Midler, Scissor Sisters and Sam
Moore. She is also well known for her "Higher Ground"
session with Dave Weckl and Chris Coleman. Chrissi has
definitely earned the respect of the drumming community.
Chrissi is a true pro who challenges Drum Fantasy Camp
attendees to play with confidence, passion, and solid
musical sensibilities! |
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Vinny Valentino
Music Director
Guitar, Vocals
Vinny Valentino is a world-class
guitarist and
educator. He is best-known for his work with the
legendary George Benson and Steve Smith's fusion band
Vital Information.
Vinny is a "musician's musician." He plays "in the
pocket" and chooses his notes carefully. He's a writer,
arranger, and performer of the highest order. He is also
a great teacher - helping drummers understand how to be
more musical. Vinny has conducted music workshops all
over the world.
Vinny's company, "Play Along Jazz," produces play along
tracks for musicians of every background and playing
level.
At Drum Fantasy Camp, Vinny pulls together all the music
for our concerts and Jam Nights. He's the musical vision
of the camp and holds everything together during the
concerts and jams. He also runs our Groove Class! You
can learn a lot from Vinny. |
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The Staff |
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Steven Orkin
Owner / Camp Director
Steven Orkin is the owner and
director of Drum
Fantasy Camp. He also runs Orkin Marketing and
Management,
an entertainment marketing firm in Los Angeles, California.
Steven spent ten years in corporate marketing and the ad
agency world before starting his firm. Over the years,
he has worked with Dave Weckl, Steve Smith,
Simon Phillilps, Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Mark
Guiliana, and many more.
Steven started Drum Fantasy Camp in 2007. He's completely accessible at Drum Fantasy
Camp and enjoys discussing the biz with attendees. He
also enjoys staying in touch with attendees and hearing
about their progress after the camp! |
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Stewart Jean
Program Chair / Drums at
Musicians Institute
Attendees and parents of DFC will have the
unique
opportunity to learn about the music school world and
music industry from Stewart Jean.
As Program Chair for Drums at MI, Stewart
steers the program down a path of success. Authoring and
co-authoring contemporary curriculum, developing
innovative teaching methods and consistently providing a
nurturing learning environment are some of the
highlights Stewart has brought to Musicians Institute.
Stewart also maintains a steady drumming career Stewart.
He has performed or recorded with Jackson Browne, Danny
Wilde, Macy Gray, Raul Midon, Bruce Kulick, Don Felder,
Jimmy Buffett, Betty Wright, Sam Moore, Preston Smith,
Bo Diddley, Christian Zallies, Diego Bertie and Pedro
Suarez Vertiz.
Stewart received a Bachelors Degree in Music from the
University of Miami as a graduate of the Studio Music
and Jazz Program. While in Miami Stewart also served as
Jazz coordinator for the National Foundation for
Advancement in the Arts. |
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