Dave Weckl, Modern Drummer’s Hall of Fame-er and among the top 25 drummers of all time, launches his first band, tour and recording in over a decade. With Makoto Ozone on piano and keys, Tom Kennedy/bass and Gary Meek/saxes the Dave Weckl Acoustic Band is charged with riveting chemistry, ebullient communication and rare telepathy that engages audiences to their rapt delight.
Early on, it was Peter Erskine who recommended Dave for French Toast, a Michel Camilo band. Next legendary bassist Anthony Jackson suggested Dave for the Simon and Garfunkel Reunion Tour in 1983. Following this, Dave was regularly being called for recording dates with among others George Benson, Diana Ross and Robert Plant.
In 1985, Michael Brecker suggested Dave to Chick Corea for Chick’s Elektric Band. That began a seven year relationship with Chick Corea touring internationally and famously with both the Elektric and Akoustic Bands.
As a solo artist, Dave recorded and produced nine recordings including GRP/MCA solo releases Masterplan, Heads Up, and Hardwired. In 1998, Dave realized his long-time goal of forming a world-touring band. The Dave Weckl Band who released five studio records, including Rhythm Of The Soul, Synergy, Transition, Perpetual Motion, and Multiplicity as well as a live album, LIVE (And Very Plugged In) and a compilation of DWB and instructional videos entitled The Zone.
Along with his own projects Dave continues sideman work with Mike Stern, Chuck Loeb, Oz Noy, and Chris Minh Doky and the Nomads among others. When off the road, Dave does session and production work, teaches annually at Drum Fantasy Camp and continues to produce many popular instructional video/DVDs and play-along packages.
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MAKOTO OZONE/piano & keys
Makoto Ozoneigned with CBS Columbia right after the graduation from Berklee College of Music and released the first self-titled album “Makoto Ozone” in 1983 along with his debut Solo Recital at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Makoto has recorded over 20 albums for Verve/Universal since 1994. A duet album with Gary Burton “Virtuosi” was nominated for a the 45th Grammy in 2003 for “The Best Classical Crossover” category. Makoto also has been performing classical repertoire including Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Bernstein, Gershwin, Rachmaninov since 2003′ with world’s major orchestra such as New York Philharmonic, Orchestre de chambre de Paris, NDR symphony orchestra, NHK symphony orchestra, Sinfonia Varsovia and more.
GARY MEEK/sax
As a sideman Gary has a longstanding relationship with keyboardist Jeff Lorber and is featured prominently on his last several recordings. Gary has also toured with many others including Herb Alpert and Al Jarreau and frequently teams up with long standing friends Flora Purim & Airto. Since 2011 Gary Has been working for the Monterey Jazz Festival as a “Traveling Clinician.”
TOM KENNEDY/bass
These reviews say it all! Bass Musician Magazine “It would be hard to overstate Tom Kennedy’s mastery of jazz bass, with a resume that runs as deep as his groove and feel.” LA Weekly “Tom Kennedy’s playing is nothing short of inspiring.”
