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John J. DiMartino

Professional Drummer & Teacher of Drums

About Me

Education

1958 Attended St. Louis Institute of Music – St. Louis, MO 1960 Graduate of U. S. Naval School of Music – Washington D.C.

1983 Attended McKendree College. Major: Computer Science, Christian Education; Lebanon, IL

1993 Attended Portland Community College

Early days in ST Louis, MO

Performed in St. Louis area society bands playing for weddings, religious functions, and special interest groups. Also backed up acts such as Rosemary Clooney and Frankie Lane. Performed with St. Louis Jazz Quartet touring the U.S. for two years entertaining University and College students as part of the Young Audience Concerts venue.

Toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra – 1962 Staff musician for local St. Louis T.V. talk shows Toured for nine years with the Rumors Band performing in many night-clubs across the nation.

Nashville, TN

Staff musician for the Grand Ole Opry Productions – Nashville, TN

Toured with C&W Artists doing concerts and State Fairs with Acts such as Marty Robbins, Roger Miller, Christy Lane, Lynn Anderson, Skeeter Davis, Jim Ed Brown. Staff drummer for Steel Guitar International Organization (backed up Buddy Emmons, Paul Franlin Jr., Doug Jernigan, Herby Wallace, and others) Professional mentor to Dave Weckl (at age 14), Irlene Mandrell (sister to Barbara Mandrell), Eddie Rabbit’s drummer, Tammy Wynette’s drummer, and others. Clinician for Pearl Drum Company Performed in first Pearl clinic with Larrie London in Nashville, TN

Member of the Nashville Cats Band led by Jim Vest, well known Steel Guitarist (played Steel Guitar in the life of Hank Williams Jr. movie. The Cats backed up well known artists such Charlie Pride, Eddie Rabbit, Jack Green-Jean Sealy, Box Car Willey, and many others.

Pacific Northwest Past

Performed with Paul deLay Band, Robbie Laws Band, Kinzel & Hyde Band, Arthur (Fresh Air) Moore, Hudson Rocket Band, JR Sims (Texas Blues), Nicole Fournier & Her 3lb Universe Band, and other local groups. Christian Music: Member of Vancouver, WA’s New Heights Church Worship team under the direction of Mike Dishner. Involved in other ministries as well. Recently performed with Classic Rock band, Drastic Measures throughout the Southern Washington, and greater Portland, OR area. Previously a member of the Cort Carpenter Triple C Band based in Longview, WA.

Present - Greater Lake Ozark Area

Currently performing with Lake Community Orchestra Greater Lake Area Chorale

Performing with various bands such as Jerry Frank and the Lake Classics, Jimmy & Starla Queen, Kathleen Marco and Fred Wakenhut, Michael Vryostek and Dave Payne to name a few. Professional Drum teacher for over twenty five years.

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because it offers unlimited options for developing one's technical ability on their instrument, developing extensive knowledge of theory, endless ways to create and improvise and express in whatever the musical context, and it includes perfection of musicality: chords, structure and form, composition, dynamics, and types of instrumentation that include more than just guitar, bass, and drums and piano/ keyboard instruments. Jazz is performed by all types of musical organizations, and not just a particular, limited group of musicians with a particular focus. I was first exposed to jazz as teenager hearing Stan Kenton's Orchestra, and musicians such as Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, and Miles Davis, Max Roach, Charlie Parker, and Clifford Brown. I met [Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Ed Thigpen, Elvin Jones, Dave Weckl, Tom Kennedy, Larrie London, Louie Bellson, several C&W artists, Jon Von Olen, Ralph Sutton, Barret Deems, Buddy Emmons, Phil Ball, Herbie Wallace, Paul Franklin Jr., Chuck Flores, and many others. ] The best show I ever attended was Jazz at the Philharmonic. The first jazz record I bought was Artistry in Rhythm by Stan Kenton. My advice to new listeners be open minded, and pay attention to all of the Jazz you have the privilege to hear.

My House Concert Story

Recently had the pleasure to hear and watch the new Dave Weckl Big Band performance of several great Jazz Tunes.