Take Five With Robert Castelli

Meet Robert Castelli:

Born in Ossining, New York, to a family of drummers. Studied at Westchester Conservatory and Drummers Collective.

First time on stage at eight years old. Growing up in and around New York City exposed him to all styles of music and, as a result, played in eclectic musical situations from pop, rock, jazz, funk, Latin amd Brazilian to Musical Theater. His playing and original music have been written about in the New York Times Online ('99),Cadence Magazine ('00),Jazz Halo in Belgium ('01), Drums Etc in Canada and Modern Drummer ('04), Drums & Percussion Germany ('06, '09),Concert Magazine in Austria ('08), Jazzwise in England ('08), Drummer Magazine in England ('08), Abstract Logix online ('08) and by journalists and websites in Canada and the US.

Currently promoting new CD, Robert Castelli/Boom Quartet. Touring around Austria throughout 2009, and London in June. Working on next CD and further performances in the UK and continental Europe. More reviews coming from Jazzit in Italy and Jazzman in France this summer.

Instruments:

Drums, percussion, guitar, voice.

Teachers and/or influences?

Studied with Kim Plainfield, Ed Soph, Gary Chester, Tony "Thunder" Smith, Robbie Gonzalez, Robbie Ameen, Horacio "el negro" Hernandez and Joe Ascione.

Influences:

Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Santana, Andreas Segovia, Paco De Lucia, John Tavener, Frank Zappa.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

Very young! Perhaps five. I started with drums when I was eight, as my dad was a pro and still gigging then.

Your sound and approach to music:

Very eclectic. A perpetual student of music and life (all one). Music of different cultures, My approach is to listen well, the music will tell what to play and when or how! But always keep your craft sharp.

Your teaching approach:

Time and the beat are the most important.

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