Dave Weckl

For the last 30 years, Dave Weckl has maintained a reputation amongst his fans and peers as one of the very finest musicians on the contemporary music scene today.

At age 16 he began to work professionally with local pop and jazz groups. After his 19th birthday, he moved to the east coast in 1979 to study music at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. While playing the club scene in New York City with a band named Nite Sprite, Dave started to receive accolades from established studio musicians such as Steve Kahn, Michael Brecker, and especially drumming great Peter Erskine. It was Peter who recommended Dave for his first 'big gig' in town with a group called French Toast, forerunner to the Michel Camilo band, which has been recorded quite extensively over the years. From this group, legendary bassist Anthony Jackson recommended Dave for the prestigious Simon and Garfunkel reunion tour in 1983. After this tour it was not long before he was regularly being called for radio and TV jingles, sound track sessions, and top recording dates with such artists as George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Diana Ross and Robert Plant, to name a few.

In 1985 Michael Brecker suggested that Chick Corea check out this new young guy in town, Dave Weckl, for his new 'Elektric Band' he was forming. That was the beginning of a 7 year relationship with both the 'Elektric' and 'Akoustic' Bands, where 9 recordings and 3 videos were produced, including a Grammy for the initial Akoustic Band release. The Elektric Band showcased Dave's spectacular drumming and innovative use of combining electric and acoustic drums bringing him world-wide recognition. The Elektric Band, after a 10 year hiatus, has recorded a new CD to be released in mid 2004, with tours expected as well.

As a solo artist, Dave has recorded and produced nine of his own recordings to date; Masterplan, Heads Up, and Hardwired, available on GRP/MCA records, and most recently with the Dave Weckl Band, Perpetual Motion, Transition, The Zone, Synergy, Rhythm Of The Soul, and a brand new LIVE recording released in October of 2003, The Dave Weckl Band LIVE (and very plugged in), all on Stretch/Concord Records. His own band has kept him very busy the last few years, but still enjoys sideman work, most recenty with guitar great Mike Stern. When off the road he keeps busy with a bit of session work, record dates, and even mixing a few projects here and there, all in his place of residence, Los Angeles, CA.

To learn more please visit Dave's website at daveweckl.com