Dave Weckl News - December Edition

Dave Weckl Band in the Studio

Dave, Steve Weingart, Gary Meek and Tom Kennedy are currently in the studio working on the new DWB album.

Only a few tracks have been recorded so far, but Dave already sounds excited about the direction of this record.

"The band sounds really tight," Weckl said, "I'm amazed at the ideas these guys bring to the table when we start a new project."

Look for a release sometime in the Spring of '05 and, perhaps, some sneak-peak sound samples on www.daveweckl.com ! Keep it tuned right here.

Elektric Band Reunites

with CD and Tour

Chick Corea's new album, "To The Stars," is a tribute to L. Ron Hubbard's novel of the same name. Clearly, this album reunites the stars - the ones that made the Elektric Band so powerful.

Returning to the lineup are Dave, Chick, Eric Marienthal, Frank Gambale and John Patitucci. Also featured are Steve Wilson (sax) and Pernell Saturnino (percussion).

"To The Stars" is a powerful concept album delivered in 17 parts and is painted with the musical virtuosity that made the band so dominant throughout the years.

The band toured the East coast in November, performing the new material and also digging deep into the Chick catalog for classics like "CTA" and "Got a Match?"

You can pick up a copy of the new album at www.chickcorea.com .

(click picture to enlarge in a new window)

Stay "Very Plugged In" with

Dave's Official Yahoo Newsgroup

You can connect with Dave Weckl fans all over the world by joining the new Dave Weckl Newsgroup on Yahoo.

Click here to go to the sign-up page. To join, simply click the "join this group" button at the top of the page. You will be asked to sign in to a current Yahoo account. If you don't have a current account - no problem - it only takes a few seconds to sign in and it's free!

Once you join, you will be able to post messages and respond to messages from other members. You can set up your membership to receive new messages in an e-mail account, or you can view messages by visiting the group.

The group is brand new and will take some time to grow. We think it will be a valuable tool for fans, drummers and musicians everywhere.

Dave Featured in MD

Be sure to check out the article on page 19 in the February issue of Modern Drummer.

Dave talks about reuniting with the Chick Corea Elektric Band and how his experiences have made him a different person and player. He also talks about how his approach is quite different in the Elektric Band versus his role as a band leader in the Dave Weckl Band.

Well, it has been a busy few months! Where to begin...

With a bit of time off in August, my music world stood still for a bit while I moved my parents out to LA so we could all be closer in their later years. It was a very rewarding, time intensive project. I’m sure many of you wondered what happened to the newsletter or updates on the site, well, that was it! Thanks to many of you (that knew) who wrote in wishing my father well while he went through a brief illness. With the folks in their new home all basically stabilized now, I’m back to work. Actually, throughout late August and September there were a few dates
here and there with my band and with Chick Corea. Starting in mid-October, I embarked on a month long tour of the eastern United States with the Chick Corea Elektric Band.

Sitting behind the kit, playing with these amazing musicians for so many memorable shows was a lot of fun, and as always, humbling to be lucky enough to continue to play with such great artists. I have seen and felt an amazing amount of growth and evolution in everyone. And, once again, Chick has compositionally (and of course, playing-wise!) outdone himself for our recent release, "To The Stars." The rekindled chemistry was great, leading to some of the most efficient recording sessions I have ever been involved with. We tracked the record in 4 or 5 days, can’t remember now! The live shows have received a great response. Thanks to all of you who have been able to attend!

Although the CD has original bassist John Patitucci on board, his schedule did not allow him to do all the touring. Ric Fierabracci has stepped in to become part of the chemistry, possessing a great deal of talent on his instrument, not to mention, just a great guy! It’s worth mentioning that his first gig in the middle of last summer’s tour was with no real rehearsal…. He had all the music memorized, and killed it! Quite impressive I thought!

Right now, the Dave Weckl Band is in the process of writing new material
for a new CD due out in the spring of 2005. We will record sometime in
January. I am very excited about this effort, which sees the return of my esteemed band mates Tom Kennedy (bass), Gary Meek (saxes) and Steve
Weingart (keys), with Ric Fierabracci (bass) appearing as well. We have an upcoming tour in Europe scheduled for March that Tom cannot make, so Ric will be on that tour. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for some sound clips!

Ok everyone, must get back to writing some music! Thanks to all of you for your continued support and interest. As always - more to come!!

- Dave

Hi Dave,

I was just wondering what your composition methods are? Do you sit at the drums first and play a groove and then start composing a melody based on that groove? Or do you start at the keyboard/piano? I know that when Marcus Miller composes, he usually starts at the keyboard and then moves on to his bass.

I always struggle when it comes to composition and always wonder what the best method is to writing. I would appreciate your advice.

Thank you for the continuing inspiration through your music and drumming, Dave.

Best regards,

- Tim

Thanks Tim,

When composing on my own for my band, usually I'll start 'singing' a groove or a vibe that I want to create. From there I will go to the drums and record the groove for a few bars. I then go to the computer and loop the pattern, then attempt to start getting the harmonic aspect happening, which for me usually starts with a bass part (at the keyboard). From that point, I just try and get out what is in my head, usually using either a piano or a rhodes sound. I then invite the other
guys to join in and help the creative process. We are doing that now for the new CD, and it is really a very productive way for us to compose music. Other times, we may all just 'jam' on a groove idea I have, and record it. We then listen and disect it, picking out possible parts that could be different sections of the tune, and build around that. Either way though, it's fun to work with someone else, at least for me.....you have to realize your strengths and weaknesses, my strength being the drums, and certain aspects of the composition. But putting everyone's head and ideas together in situation where the chemistry works between you all is strong can produce some nice results.

- Dave

Have a question for Dave? About his music? His career? The musicians he's played with? A practicing tip? This is the place to ask.

Each month, Dave will answer your questions right here. He can't answer them all - and can't answer them individually - but using this forum, he'll answer the most interesting ones he gets.

To submit a question, send an e-mail to questions@davewecklnews.com .

Learn with Dave Online

You can now learn online through the Virtual Drummer School, an exciting new interactive learning system that features Dave and many great international drummers.

The Virtual Drummer School features a wide range of curriculum, including interactive lessons and demonstrations by the artists, tools to assess the right level of learning for each student, a focus on ethnic music, history and a focus on equipment. And that's just the beginning...

Go to www.virtualdrummerschool.com to learn more.

New additions to Dave's official web site include a sample medley (audio) from the Elektric Band's new CD, "To The Stars," plus video footage of the band performing in Montreal. To view these items and to see Dave's updates throughout the month, go to www.daveweckl.com and click "What's New." Updates are listed by date.

If you live in the Los Angeles area, or if you plan on attending the NAMM Show (in Anaheim) this year, come see one of the Dave Weckl Band shows at Catalina's from January 21-23.

Catalina's has become a kind of "home base" for the band in the Los Angeles area. Things always seem to heat up there. Great food and drink - and you never know who might be hanging out there! At the last show, we sited two guys that looked a lot like Joey Heredia and Freddie Gruber.

Click here to open Catalina's web site, which has more information and directions to the club.

Tour dates and information are updated throughout the month. You can get up-to-the-minute information about Dave's schedule by going to www.daveweckl.com and clicking "What's New." Then, click on "Tours and Clinics."

"Live and Very Plugged In"

Don't miss the supercharged live release from the Dave Weckl Band - "Live and Very Plugged In." The name says it all, with virtuoso musicianship and plenty of energy.

Drummers will treasure Dave's solo, "Cultural Concurrence." Fans will appreciate the playful banter between Dave and saxophonist Gary Meek on "Hesitation," Tom Kennedy's solo on "Rhythm-A-Ning," and Steve Weingart's blazing keyboard work on "Tiempo de Festival."

Click here to purchase this two-disc set on Amazon.com.

Hear a Different Side of Dave on

Peter Mayer's "Musicbox" CD

Wondering why Dave appears on the title track to Peter Mayer's new CD? According to Dave, "the song was just so good..."

Mayer, a long-time friend of Dave, has produced seven solo albums in addition to the singing, songwriting and lead guitar work he has done for Jimmy Buffett since 1989.

Mayer's music is best described as a combination of James Taylor, Sting and Paul Simon, with folk, jazz and rock textures.

Joining him on the "Musicbox" CD are longtime band mates and fellow "Coral Reefers" Jim Mayer, Roger Guth and Mac McAnally. Also appearing on the album is long-time Weckl and Mayer collaborator Jay Oliver, who provides his legendary songwriting, piano and production skills.

You can learn more about Mayer at www.petermayer.com and can pick up a copy of "Musicbox" at www.littleflockmusic.com .