John Stevenson profile picture

John Stevenson

About Me

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Some of the tracks you're hearing here are from two of the most beautiful and loving human beings I've ever played with... Jacob and Julia.
I met Jacob at the Baked Potato back in 2001 for a song writers evening/peformance. We hit it off right from the start. I was honored to record these tunes for them, especially "My Julia". This song demostrates what a man feels for the love of his life. Listen to Jacobs voice in the recording... you can actually hear him break down once towards the middle of the tune. The music, the love between them and the lyrics were the inspiration for me to play this song
Another tune is from a project last year I've been doing with David Courtinay. We're currently working on a new CD together that will feature more of his writing talents as well as Fran the guitar player. I just posted a new rough track of "You I Saw". Take a listen and let me know what you think if it. Better yet, let David know at his myspace page.
http://www.myspace.com/musicdavid
Please check out one of my friends "Echo's Landing". This is a new progressive rock project that I'm working with. Reminds me of Rush meets evanescence meets Porcupine Tree. I recently recorded the tune called "Do you run" you hear in my player here. Listen to the tune and tell them if you like it. Check out the Echo's Landing myspace page as well at................
http://www.myspace.com/23degreestovertical
Music is such a huge part of my life..... it always has been. The feeling and emotions I get from playing with various artists feeds my soul like nothing else. It's part of what makes me a loving and compassionate human being towards others and the special people in my life.
BIO.....
I started to play drums at age 12 by watching my good friend Adam Johnston play La Villa Strangiato from Rush at our Jr. High School's talent show (Thank you Adam for sharing this gift of music with me). Over the years studied with great drummers like Henry Bellson, Greg Bissonett, Alex Acuna, Freddy Gruber (whom I call Grandpa these days), Randy Drake and Bob Lobato.
I sat and listened to guys like Neil Peart, Tommy Aldridge, Mark Cranney, Bill Bruford, Steward Copeland and Terri Bozzio in my early years. Then as my tastes grew more complex and evolved, started to learn to appreciate drummers like Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd, Dave Karasony, and Vinnie Colaiuta. All the while trying to internalize their unique styles and playing abilities to one day develop my own style.
Played in various Pop, Jazz, Latin, Afro-Cuban, Funk, Rock, Progressive Rock, Blues, Soul bands over the years. Claim to fame?? Got to jam with the guys from Brand X once. That was a treat!! Mostly record and do local gigs with local artists these days. Always up for jamming and experimental or mainstream projects. If it sounds good, it grooves, and there's good players &/or vocals.... you can bet I'll be part of it.
I love this quote from Albert Einstein. Sums it up pretty well for me! "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music."

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 12/24/2006
Band Website: WWW.HOUSEOFDRUMMING.COM
Band Members: Me, Myself and I.
Influences: Influences?? Gosh... where do I start??
Drummers
Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colauita, Greg Bissonette (thank you greg for giving me the tools I needed to express my voice), Jeff Porcaro, Neil Peart, Myran Grombocker, Dave Garibaldi, Stewart Copeland, Peter Erskine, Todd Sucherman, Gary Chaffee, Sonny Emory, Joel Taylor, Tony Pia, Steve Gadd, Terri Bozzio, Bill Bruford, John Bonham, Tony Williams, Lenny White, Alvin Jones, Jack Dejohnette, Cliff Almond, Nick Vincent, Randy Drake, Buddy Rich, Gavin Harrison, Mark Cranny, Tommy Aldridge, Gary Husband, David Karasony (thanks Dave for taking me under your wing and turning me onto Gadd as a kid plus being such a good friend). I'm sure I'll think of more as time goes on
Musicians and/or bands
Weather Report, Spyro Gyra, Rush, Yes, King Crimson, The Police, Michael Buble, U.K., Jethro Tull, Ursela Drusiak, Michael Urbaniak, Don Grolnick, Level 42, Pat Travers band, Ozzy, The Cars, Devo, Boston, Foreigner, Aerosmith, Led Zepplin, Porcupine Tree, Chick Corea, Sting, Steve Ray Vaughn, Dennis Jones, Sara Mann, Jacob and Julia, Gary Meek, Bob Muir, Brad Rabuchen, Tom Kennedy, Tower of Power, Ledisi, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Steve Kahn, John Beasly, Brian Bromberg, Frank Zappa, Bonnie Riatt, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, Chuck Mangione, James Taylor, Michael Camilo, Rage against the machine, STP, Staind, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Allen Holdsworth, Toto, The Gadd Gang, Steps, The Breaker Brothers, Thelonius Monk, Charles Parker, Return to Forever, Al Di Miola, Ernie Watts, Walt Fowler, Brandon Fields, Greg Matheson, Dave Garfield, Randy Waldman, Jeff Beck, Jeff Berlin, Jing Chi, Robben Ford, Mike Stern, Larry Carlton, Billy Joel, Eric Marienthal, Bill Meyers, John Pattituchi, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, George Benson, Barry Manilow, Jeff Richman, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix.
Sounds Like: YOU'VE GOTTA CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT!! I JUST LOVE IT!! IT'S CALLED FREE HUGS....IT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE AND LAUGH.
GOOD FRIENDS DAVE WECKL, TOM KENNEDY, STEVE WEINGART AND GARY MEEK PLAYING "THE CHICKEN".GOOD FRIENDS BRIAN BROMBERG, DAVE WECKL, AND GARY MEEK PLAYING CHAMELEON AT THE BLUE NOTE IN JAPAN. THERE'S 4 PARTS TO THIS TUNE AND YOU CAN HEAR THEM ALL AT YOUTUBE.ME PLAYING TO A NEW DAVID COURTINAY SONG. IN THE PROCESS OF RECORDING HIS NEW ALBUM. CHECK OUT HIS OTHER MATERIAL I PLAYED ON HERE. HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MUSICDAVIDPLAYING TO THE AL GREEN TUNE "LETS STAY TOGETHER" PERFORMED BY THE DAVE GARFIELD BAND & VARIOUS VOCAL ARTISTS.
Record Label: Would a mailing label suffice??
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

My mention in the Dave Weckl newsletter

Yo kids!!  Thought you drummer guys might get a kick out of this. Even though this is from an old edition of the Dave Weckl newsletter, it was still very nice of Dave to mention me at all. I've ...
Posted by on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 05:24:00 GMT

URGENT!! My musician friends across the globe..please read.

If you're not familiar with this story, take a second to find out about it.Since I have musician friends worldwide, please bring this up amongst your other muso friends or bring it up as a topic at gi...
Posted by on Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:13:00 GMT