Bio
Music has always been such an important part of my life. From the age of seven when my parents gave me my first snare drum, to studying music for a time in college and playing professionally, I have had to balance my passion for music with other interests and responsibilities. This album is long in the making (too many years to admit), but I have proven to myself that persistence pays off.
Cosmic Ritual
represents the intersection of my interests in Music and Science, as well as reflecting my experiences with people, places, friends, and family. My composing philosophy and ultimate goal is to have my music tell a story, and to have my drumming play an integral part.
Music has always been such an important part of my life. From the age of seven when my parents gave me my first snare drum, to studying music for a time in college and playing professionally, I have had to balance my passion for music with other interests and responsibilities. This album is long in the making (too many years to admit), but I have proven to myself that persistence pays off.
My first interest in drumming came from walking past a neighbor's house where there lived a friend and drummer. I thought it was the coolest thing, and that Christmas, asked my parents to buy a drum set for me. My first set was a blue glitter finished Sonor drum set which was very hip and very 60's. I started taking private drum lessons from a local music store (10 years later I taught at this store) where I had the good fortune of connecting with my first teacher, Mr. John Scanlon. Mr Scanlon was a professional drummer playing with dance bands on Long Island. He was a tall, black haired thin man who I respected greatly. He passed to me some very important lessons that have served me to this day. He stressed the importance of learning the basics - drum rudiments (especially paradiddles!), reading music, and exposing me to a variety of music genres (particularly Jazz and Latin). I remember one lesson where I asked him to teach me a rock song, and he said "that's the problem with kids these days - everyone want to be the next Ringo Starr!" His patience and persistence allowed me to develop the techniques I use today.
My music education continued by performing in Elementary, Junior High, and High School Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Bands. Luckily, music was given significant priority at that time in my community. Civic events like Memorial Day parades were very important in the community where my high school marching band (Deer Park High School) marched annually. I remember one Memorial Day I couldn't find my marching band sneakers, so I had to borrow my Dad's tennis sneakers which were 2 sizes smaller. By the end of the parade I could barely walk. I looked like the iconic Revolutionary War drummer limping and playing his snare drum!
My music education continued by performing in Elementary, Junior High, and High School Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Bands. Luckily, music was given significant priority at that time in my community. Civic events like Memorial Day parades were very important in the community where my high school marching band (Deer Park High School) marched annually. I remember one Memorial Day I couldn't find my marching band sneakers, so I had to borrow my Dad's tennis sneakers which were 2 sizes smaller. By the end of the parade I could barely walk. I looked like the iconic Revolutionary War drummer limping and playing his snare drum!
As I grew up, I toyed with the idea of studying music in college, but was never directed enough. As I embarked on my college career studying Economics (eventually to study Electrical Engineering), I continued playing drums and was fortunate enough to land a great gig in my Uncle Phil's Band (known as the Phil Edward's Orchestra). Phil was a professional musician who played in some of the big bands of the 40's and 50's. We played mostly weddings and parties in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, and were the house band at the old Oriental Manor catering hall (featured in the movie Good Fellas , and has since shut down). We worked regularly, typically 3 gigs per week. In our band was a not so well know, but significant figure in Jazz Bebop - Davey Schildkraut. Davey played with many Jazz legends (Miles Davis, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich to name a few), I wish I had been more mature at the time to appreciate his greatness. During this period of my life, I started developing my style, with strong influence from my favorite drummer Bill Bruford. I studied Bruford very intensely and would memorize most of his work (One of a Kind is a classic of course!).
After graduating college with an engineering degree, I embarked on a new life in California getting my first job as an engineer with Hughes Aircraft Company in the Space and Communications Group. After a few months in California I decided that, in parallel with working as an engineer, I wanted to study music at the college level. So for the next 2 years I attended California State University, Long Beach studying music theory and percussion performance under the tutelage of Greg Goodall (Percussionist, Los Angeles Philharmonic).
As I mention in the opening of this Bio, I've had to balance life's responsibilities and interests with my passion for music. I've always had an interest in science probably due to growing up in the 60's - watching the moon landings and my favorite TV show Star Trek. I believe this is what influenced me to study engineering and to be part of the high tech community for more than 25 years. While working in the engineering field and building my career, my wife Lori and I raised a family. Our son Ethan and daughter Allison are the center of our lives. We are so very fortunate and my family is part of my inspiration. During this period in my life, I started accelerating my desire to write and record. I realized that I had a talent for creating interesting and intelligent material, and the feedback that I have received from musicians and industry people have reflected this.
My musical influences have naturally evolved over time. While early in high school I mainly listed to main stream rock bands like Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears. My interests evolved to more progressive rock - Yes, Genesis, Brand X, King Chrimson, Bill Bruford and Alan Holdsworth. Through college, I started getting into fusion - Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Pat Metheny. Drummers that have had the most inluence on me are Bill Bruford and Peter Erskine.
Acknowledgements
Very special thanks to my Mom, Dad, and brother Cliff for tolerating endless hours of drum pounding and cymbal crashing coming from the basement of our Deer Park, N.Y. home many years ago. Most importantly, I could not have accomplished this album without the love and support from my son Ethan, my daughter Allison, and my wife Lori. To my son Ethan, I have dedicated Eclectic Journey of the Paradiddle Penguin symbolizing his intellect, passion, and creativity. To my daughter Allison, I have dedicated Allison's Wonderland representing her curiosity, musical talents, and beauty. Finally, to my wife and life partner Lori, I have dedicated Bermuda Portrait for the wonderful moments we shared in Bermuda and symbolizing the strength of our relationship.
I’d also like to thank Mike Rosenthal at F&M Designs for photography, Roland Jenster for feedback on the album, and John Vestman at Vestman Mastering for his diligence in getting the sound just right. Thanks to the following manufacturers for the tools and instruments used in the creation of this project: Adobe, Advanced Media Group, Apogee, Apple, Audio Ease, Bigga Giggas, Drum Workshop, Evans, FXspansion, JBL, Korg, Mackie, M-Audio, MOTU, Native Instruments, Paiste Cymbals, Pearl Drums, Pro-Rec Synth Sounds, Remo, Sabian Cymbals, Samson Audio, Scarbee, Sony, Spectrasonics, Synthogy, Toontrack, Vienna Symphonic Library, Vic Firth Drum Sticks, Western Digital, Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals. For a complete list of specific software and hardware used in the making of this project, go to CosmicRitual.com.
I hope you enjoy my music - please drop me a note with your thoughts.
All the Best
Gary Umberto
After graduating college with an engineering degree, I embarked on a new life in California getting my first job as an engineer with Hughes Aircraft Company in the Space and Communications Group. After a few months in California I decided that, in parallel with working as an engineer, I wanted to study music at the college level. So for the next 2 years I attended California State University, Long Beach studying music theory and percussion performance under the tutelage of Greg Goodall (Percussionist, Los Angeles Philharmonic).
As I mention in the opening of this Bio, I've had to balance life's responsibilities and interests with my passion for music. I've always had an interest in science probably due to growing up in the 60's - watching the moon landings and my favorite TV show Star Trek. I believe this is what influenced me to study engineering and to be part of the high tech community for more than 25 years. While working in the engineering field and building my career, my wife Lori and I raised a family. Our son Ethan and daughter Allison are the center of our lives. We are so very fortunate and my family is part of my inspiration. During this period in my life, I started accelerating my desire to write and record. I realized that I had a talent for creating interesting and intelligent material, and the feedback that I have received from musicians and industry people have reflected this.
My musical influences have naturally evolved over time. While early in high school I mainly listed to main stream rock bands like Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears. My interests evolved to more progressive rock - Yes, Genesis, Brand X, King Chrimson, Bill Bruford and Alan Holdsworth. Through college, I started getting into fusion - Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Pat Metheny. Drummers that have had the most inluence on me are Bill Bruford and Peter Erskine.
Acknowledgements
Very special thanks to my Mom, Dad, and brother Cliff for tolerating endless hours of drum pounding and cymbal crashing coming from the basement of our Deer Park, N.Y. home many years ago. Most importantly, I could not have accomplished this album without the love and support from my son Ethan, my daughter Allison, and my wife Lori. To my son Ethan, I have dedicated Eclectic Journey of the Paradiddle Penguin symbolizing his intellect, passion, and creativity. To my daughter Allison, I have dedicated Allison's Wonderland representing her curiosity, musical talents, and beauty. Finally, to my wife and life partner Lori, I have dedicated Bermuda Portrait for the wonderful moments we shared in Bermuda and symbolizing the strength of our relationship.
I’d also like to thank Mike Rosenthal at F&M Designs for photography, Roland Jenster for feedback on the album, and John Vestman at Vestman Mastering for his diligence in getting the sound just right. Thanks to the following manufacturers for the tools and instruments used in the creation of this project: Adobe, Advanced Media Group, Apogee, Apple, Audio Ease, Bigga Giggas, Drum Workshop, Evans, FXspansion, JBL, Korg, Mackie, M-Audio, MOTU, Native Instruments, Paiste Cymbals, Pearl Drums, Pro-Rec Synth Sounds, Remo, Sabian Cymbals, Samson Audio, Scarbee, Sony, Spectrasonics, Synthogy, Toontrack, Vienna Symphonic Library, Vic Firth Drum Sticks, Western Digital, Yamaha Drums, Zildjian Cymbals. For a complete list of specific software and hardware used in the making of this project, go to CosmicRitual.com.
I hope you enjoy my music - please drop me a note with your thoughts.
All the Best
Gary Umberto