2019 Staff!
(2020 instructors TBA in January)
Dennis Chambers
Santana/Parliament/Funkadelic
Dennis Chambers has recorded and
performed with John Scofield, George Duke, the Brecker Brothers,
Santana, Parliament/Funkadelic, John McLaughlin, Niacin, Mike
Stern, CAB, Greg Howe, and many others. Modern
Drummer magazine named him "one
of the 25 best drummers of all-time."
Chambers began drumming at the age of four and was gigging in
Baltimore-area nightclubs by the age of six. He was recruited in
1981 by the Sugar Hill Label to be their "house drummer." Dennis
plays on many Sugar Hill releases . In 1978, at just 18
years-of-age, he joined Parliament/Funkadelic, and stayed with
them until 1985. In 1986, he joined the John Scofield band.
Since then, he has played with most of the major figures in jazz
fusion music.
Chambers also performed on the critically acclaimed Maceo Parker
live album "Roots and Grooves" album with long time friend
Rodney "Skeet" Curtis (bass) and the WDR Big Band. He has toured
extensively with Carlos Santana and makes appearances with his
band Niacin.
Chambers has become well-known among drummers for his technique
and speed. Chambers is particularly regarded for his ability to
play "in the pocket" but can also stretch in mindblowing ways.
Chambers exhibits a powerful style that is technically
proficient, yet highly musical and groove-oriented. He can play
in a wide variety of musical genres, but is perhaps most notable
for his jazz-fusion, funk, and Latin.
In a 2011 interview, Dennis Chambers was asked who some of his
influences and favorite drummers were and he mentioned: Clyde
Stubblefield, Al Jackson Jr., Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gary
Husband, Jack Dejohnette, Billy Cobham, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones,
Roy Haynes, and Tony Williams.
Steve Smith
Journey/Vital Information
Steve Smith is the inconic drummer for he
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Journey. With more than 70
million albums sold worldwide, Steve's playing is forever set in
the minds of drummers and music fans.
In addition to playing with Journey, Steve founded and still
tours with his iconic fusion band Vital Information. Well into
its fourth decade, the band has been a cornerstone of the genre,
and has featured some of the industry's best musicians.
Beyond these two groups, Steve is well-known for his work in
bands with legendary guitar players Ronny Montrose, Frank
Gambale, Mike Stern, Scott Henderson, Tony McAlpine, and more.
He has recorded with pop stars Bryan Adams and Mariah Carey, and
toured with the legendary jazz group Steps Ahea.
Steve Smith's drumming, while always decidedly modern, can best
be described as a style that embodies the history of U.S. music.
His original love of rudimental parade drumming is evident in
his intricate
solos. Likewise, his command of jazz, from New Orleans music,
swing, bebop, avant-garde to fusion, is applied with his
powerful rock drumming sensibilities and allows him to push the
boundaries of all styles to new heights. His musical focus is
committed to the exploration of improvised music incorporating
styles as diverse as Blues, Jazz, R&B, Funk and South Indian
Carnatic.
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. Steve has been on the
teaching staff of the Drum Fantasy Camp since 2007. His
instructional books and DVDs are some of the most popular titles
on the market.
Smith's explosive solos and intricate 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 the late 80s and early 90s, the Modern Drummer poll voted
Steve #1 “All-Around” Drummer five years in a row and in 2001,
the magazine named Steve as one of the "Top 25 Drummer of All
Time.” In 2002, he was voted into the “Modern Drummer Hall of
Fame” and in 2003 his Hudson Music DVD Steve Smith Drumset
Technique - History of the U.S. Beat was voted "#1 Educational
DVD" of 2003. The 2008, 2009 and 2010, Drum! magazine voted
Smith "#1 Jazz Drummer," and in 2009, Drum! readers voted Steve
Smith Drum Legacy - Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants the #1
educational DVD.
Chad Wackerman
(Frank Zappa/Allan Holdsworth/Independent)
A phenomenally skilled
jazz and rock drummer, Chad's professional career began in 1978
with the Bill
Watrous band. Since then, he has amassed a remarkable body of
work including a seven year association with Frank Zappa, with
whom he toured the USA and Europe and recorded 27 albums
including the London Symphony recordings.
Chad has also recorded six albums and toured with guitar legend
Allan Holdsworth. He played on the 'One Voice' album and DVD
with Barbra Streisand, and recorded albums and toured with
artists as diverse as Steve Vai, Andy Summers, Men At Work, Ed
Mann, Albert Lee, Colin Hay, Dweezil Zappa,
Pasqua/Holdsworth/Haslip/Wackerman Group, Terry Bozzio, Carl
Verheyen, Steven Wilson, David Garfield, Los Lobotomy’s, John
Patitucci, Joe Sample, Banned From Utopia, Robbie Krieger, The
World Drummers Ensemble (Bill Bruford, Luis Conte, Dou Dou
Ndiaye Rose and Chad Wackerman), and James Taylor.
As a band leader and composer, Chad has five critically
acclaimed CDs: ‘Forty Reasons’, ‘The View’, Scream’, ‘Legs
Eleven’ and his newest release, ‘Dreams Nightmares and
Improvisations’. Chad has written music for the television show
'The Dennis Miller Show', as well as composing music for Allan
Holdsworth's 'Secrets' , 'Wardenclyffe Tower' and 'Sixteen Men
of Tain' CDs. His trio has a performance DVD titled 'Hits Live'.
Chad is also a world renown clinician and has masterclasses on
drumchannel. com, Chad is also a professor at California State
University Long Beach, Bob Cole Conservatory.
Chad's drumming combines the power and conviction of rock with
the sensitivity and finesse of jazz. His playing is remarkably
free of predictable patterns and licks, relying instead on
invention and interplay with the musicians around him.
Gergő Borlai
Independent
Gergő Borlai started playing drums at the age of three when he
heard Harvey Mason playing
"Chameleon" (with Herbie Hancock) and Joe Morello playing "Take
Five" (with Dave Brubeck). At six, he was accepted into a music
school and was soon following Weather Report, Frank Zappa, Miles
Davis, Allan Holdsworth, John Scofield and John McLaughlin.
Originally from Hungary, Gergo appeared on more than 300 albums
there and received two lifetime achievement awards and two "gold
record awards," as well as the Golden Drumstick Prize and the
Artisjus Lifetime Achievement Award. On a worldwide scale, his
impeccable groove and soloing has propelled him into one
of the most exciting drumset artists out there.
Gergo is a great educator. He has run clinics and master classes
all throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia like including
Musician's Institute (Hollywood), South Korea, France, Sweden,
Poland, South America, Spain, Germany, and more. Gergo has been
a professor of the Liceu Academy/Jazz Departement - Barcelona
since 2012. Gergo has lesson packages for Drum Guru and has also
created curriculum with Drumeo.
Gergo has performed with Gary Willis, Scott Kinsey, Scott
Henderson, Matthew Garrison, Steve Tavaglione, Walt Fowler, Bob
Mintzer, Hiram Bullock, L. Shankar, Vernon Reid, Iain Ballamy,
Terry Bozzio, Al DiMeola, Hadrien Feraud, Tim Lefebvre, Yolanda
Charles, and many more.
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More Information
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The Band |
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Janek Gwizdala
Bass
Janek Gwizdala is one of the most in-demand
bass
players on the planet. A Berklee alum, Janek regularly
tours with Pat Metheny, Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz, Marcus
Miller, and many more.
He's an accomplished teacher and will join Vinny
Valentino in teaching the optional Groove Class. You can
choose that during the registration process!
Welcome Janek! |
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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 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 Consultants,
a music marketing firm in Los Angeles, California.
Steven spent ten years in corporate marketing and the ad
agency world before starting his firm. He now manages
marketing communications for Dave Weckl, Steve Smith,
Simon Phillilps, Mike Stern, and others.
Steven started Drum Fantasy Camp in 2007 and also runs
periodic drumming classes at Music Annex LA and Music
Annex NYC. 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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John Maloney
Manager / Vic's Drum Shop
John Maloney is the hard-working
manager at Vic's
Drum Shop - our host location for Drum Fantasy Camp.
While managing operations for one of the top drum stores
in the world, John organizes and coordinates all the
gear needed to run DFC. He and his crew make sure the
teaching rooms, Jam Nights, and concerts are organized
and efficient with respect to gear.
John is also a friendly and helpful guy who is always
available to help our attendees. He's an invaluable part
of the event! |
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