No matter what level of drumming you currently experience; I think we can all agree that for each of us, there are performers that have struck our imagination, captured our soul, and inspired our musical direction.

For me, much of my musical exploration is experienced while driving from here to there, away from distractions of work and home. I can tell you that I still get those chills when a melody or groove strikes me in a way like I’ve just made a discovery. I know that most of you know what I mean; that feeling that takes you right back to the drum throne.

Often, I then try to figure out what musical influences I hear in the piece; and only after that, do I then check out the bios on the musician to see how accurate I was. You cannot truly understand the nuances of a musician’s style without the knowledge of whom they were influenced by. It is the collective sum of the parts that make up the whole.

Several months ago I had the pleasure of an interview with legendary drummer Paul Wertico for Drum.com that will be out sometime soon. For those of you who do not know much about Paul Wertico, I can only say that he is serves as a benchmark not only as one of the finest professional drummer’s and world class musician, but also as a truly genuine person and educator.

Here are two of my favorite Paul Wertico recordings ----- get out there and pick them up! If you have any troubles finding them go to Paul’s site at www.paulwertico.com. I can assure you that each will inspire your own musical passion.

Paul Wertico Trio:

Don’t be Scared Anymore

August 2000

Premonition Records

With John Moulder on guitar and Eric Hochberg on bass, I like to call Don’t be Scared Anymore, Paul Wertico’s hybrid of Jazz, Rock and Blues. What makes this album so interesting and downright exciting is its blend of muscle and subtle complexities. Wertico, Moulder, and Hochberg offer the listener multidimensional and highly imaginative work, without any compromise.

Check out tracks Clybourn Strut, where Wertico uses some very nice New Orleans second line elements to generate a great groove, and African Sunset, a Rock/fusion blast that shows Wertico’s prowess in any situation. Check out the type of union he creates with John Moulder’s adrenaline charged guitar work on Long Journey’s End, again making the case that there’s something for everyone on Don’t be Scared Anymore.

Paul Wertico

StereoNucleosis

April 2004

A440 Music Group

Many would say this is Paul Wertico’s best work, maybe because his wife Barbara, an accomplished composer and keyboardist in her own right, joins Paul along with his mates Eric Hochberg on bass and trumpet, John Moulder on the guitar, and Brian Peters on some electric bass, guitar, and violin. Paul even has his ten year old daughter, Talia, contributing on this record.

This project, a true family affair, I believe gave Paul the support to take the required risks to unleash what many consider a slice of musical genius. Paul’s drumming seems to have no style limitations; it’s all there for you to take in whatever you’re stylistic mainstay happens to be; Jazz, Rock or Fusion.

Check out an great African beat with an industrial edge on Corner Conversation, and The Eleventh Hour, where you’ll hear shades of Elvin Jones as well as John Moulder’s intense guitar work on this particular track. Also of note, We Needed the Rain, is a rhythmic force that reminds me of the period when Paul was behind the kit for the Pat Metheny Group.