Chicagoan Gary Novak was born into music.

Novak’s father, Larry, was a famous Chicago pianist. His mother, Carol, was also a piano player, performing with her trio at the London House. Gary took up piano at age 8 and was put to work by his father from age 10 to 12 as his dad tinkled the ivories through Chicago clubs like Mr. Kelly’s.

During high school, Novak worked with jazz clarinet master Buddy Defranco, and was also exposed to the work of Joe Williams, Milt Hinton, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel and the great Louis Bellson. The young drummer’s reputation was quickly growing, and he was offered a chance to endorse Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals at the tender age of 17.

At age 19, Novak left Chicago for Los Angeles, where he hooked up with the legendary Maynard Ferguson and his band. He also worked with musical greats such as Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Anita Baker and David Sanborn. He toured with George Benson throughout 1992, then joined Chick Corea’s new band and toured with Bob berg and Allan Holdsworth as intermediary steps to landing a gig with Canadian pop star Alanis Morissette’s backing group, with which he recorded and toured for more than a year.

Novak’s extensive list of collaborations includes such diverse artists as Ozzy Osbourne and Chaka Khan.

He’s also the drummer for the Sundog Jazz Trio (featured on Big Bark Records of Burbank, Calif.). He’s joined in that group by Deron Johnson on Rhodes and Wurlitzer organs, Dave Carpenter on bass instruments and “special guests” Steve Tavaglione on sax and Nick Lashley on guitar.