Once he’d graduated high school and was free to test out the world, Dave Weckl didn’t waste much time becoming an accomplished percussionist.

Born Jan. 8, 1960, Weckl graduated from Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Mo., in 1978. He was quickly off to the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, where he majored in jazz studies.

By the early 1980s, Weckl was working in the New York fusion scene, where he found himself collaborating with legendary artists such as Paul Simon, George Benson, Madonna, Michel Camilo and Anthony Jackson. His most noted early work, however, was with Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, with which he played from 1985 to 1991. During his seven years with Corea, Weckl also appeared with Corea’s Akoustic Band, and supplemented his income with session work and appearing with the GRP All-Star Big Band. Adding to the workload, Weckl appeared on four albums in 1988 and 1989 alone with the Manhattan Jazz Quintet. He released a series of instructional videos. And, in 1990, Weckl released his first solo recording, “Master Plan,” for GRP.

“Master Plan” was followed by “Heads Up” in 1992 and “Hard-Wired” in 1994.

After parting ways with Corea, Weckl recorded and toured with guitarist Mike Stern. He led the R&B-oriented group Rhythm of the Soul during 1998, and performed with Synergy in 1999. The Dave Weckl Band had emerged by the time of the “Transition” album’s 2000 release, and with a quartet lineup, Weckl’s 2002 offering was an improv-laden release, “Perpetual Motion.” Weckl has been the leader on 10 recordings since 1990 – three under his own name as a solo artist and seven more as the Dave Weckl Band.

Weckl endorses Yamaha drums, Sabian cymbals and Vic Firth drumstricks.

An automotive aficionado (who has owned a succession of recent and classic Corvettes, a Porsche 911 and a 440-horse Lingenfelter-tuned Camaro, among other rides), Weckl says his true passions are “spending quality time” with his daughter, Claire, his golden retriever, Sophie, and his friends.