Jason Kruk profile picture

Jason Kruk

jasonkruk

About Me

I love music...all kinds, and am grateful to be able to play drums. I've been in NYC since March 2006. I am continually inspired by the people, the music, the food, and the energy. Long live NYC. Here's a short bio: I was born in Milwaukee, WI, and have lived in Wisconsin, France, Illinois, England, and Texas. I began playing alto saxophone when I was 10, and discovered drums when I was 15. I grew up checking out Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, while discovering Max Roach and John Bonham. Started playing gigs when I was 14. Played alto sax for ten years, melted it down into a cowbell. I came alive when I discovered Tony Williams. Gigged extensively in the Midwest, Chicago and Dallas before moving to NYC. Toured States and overseas. Former teachers: Dane Richeson, Joel Spencer, Kelly Sill, David Garibaldi, Ignacio Berroa, Ed Soph.Some Festival/Tour/Recording highlights include: Ken Peplowski, Randy Sabien, Jeff Eckels, Kim Richmond, MCA recording artists The Jay Quinn band, Brian Hilton Quintet, Mojo Perry, Galen Abdul-Zarrahk. I am honored to have shared the stage with Kelly Sill, Mark Urness, Marlin McKay, Michael Spiro, Gene Bertoncini, Donny McCaslin, A.J. Mallory, and many other wonderful musicians. I believe that music is a vehicle to touch human beings.Jason is a proud endorser of Vulcan Drums.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/12/2007
Band Website: Under construction
Band Members: Jazz Project: Jeff Eckels, Bass; Tom Luer, Tenor; Matt Lawless, Piano. Paul Metzger, Guitar.Electric original, improvised, music: Brian Mulholland, Bass; Noel Johnston, Guitar
Influences: In no particular order: (Some drummers I dig) Tony Williams, John Bonham, Philly Jo Jones, Stewart Copeland, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Mel Lewis, Steve Gadd, Mike Clark, Ari Hoenig, Jeff Ballard, Brian Blade, Dan Weiss, Eric Harland, Kenny Wolleson, Matt Wilson, Jim Black, Earl Harvin, Tom Rainey, Joey Baron, Zigaboo Modeliste, David Garibaldi, Max Roach, Byron Landham, Bill Stewart, Abe Laboriel, Jr., Keith Carlock, Lewis Nash, George Fludas, Paul Wilmet, Dane Richeson, Ed Soph, "El Negro," Bernard Purdie, Jeff Porcaro, Jack DeJohnette, Baby Dodds, Jo Jones, Tiny Kahn, Alan Dawson, Tony Mason, Adam Deitch, Al Foster, Clyde Stubblefield, Billy Higgins, Mino Cinelu. Did I mention Tony Williams?Some Musicians/Composers/Artists/Bands I dig: Miles Davis Quintet 50's and 60's, Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly, Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Benny Golson, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery, Max Roach/Clifford Brown, Basie Orchestra, Benny Goodman Orchestra, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Bill Stewart, Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Miroslav Vitous, Paul Chambers, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Joey Caldarazzo, Jacky Terrasson, Ron Perillo, Sonny Clark, Phineas Newborn, Kelly Sill, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, Henry Rollins, Charles Mingus, Led Zeppelin, The Police, Pink Floyd, Shudder to Think, Jimi Hendrix, Tower of Power, John Scofield, Wayne Krantz, Steely Dan, The Flock, Bob Lanzetti, Brian Mulholland, Noel Johnston, Paul Metzger, Jeff Eckels, Tony Williams Lifetime, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Screaming Headless Torsos, Living Color, Take My Face, King Crimson, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Deftones, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Michel Camilo, Irakere, Buena Vista Social Club, Chucho Valdes, Keane, Porthino, Taking Back Sunday, Radiohead, Queen, Jeff Beck, Jeff Buckley, Frank Zappa, Van Halen, Infectious Grooves, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, TOP, Raging Honkies, TYFT, Alas No Axis, Dave Holland, Dave Douglas, Dave Binney, Donny McCaslin, John Zorn, Ben Monder, to name a few...did I mention Led Zeppelin or Tony Williams yet?CD's currently in my player...Milestones (Miles), Nefertitti (Miles), Greenwich Mean (Wayne Krantz), Feed Me Wierd Things (Squarepusher), Do You Want More (The Roots), Balance (Dave Binney), Mo Roots (Maceo Parker), Out of the Afternoon (Roy Haynes Quartet), Come to Daddy (Aphex Twin), The Nutcracker (Tchaikovsky), Meg Nem Sa(TYFT), How the West Was Won (Led Zeppelin), Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Chick)Some recent reads...Freeplay, Steve Maknanovitch; Blood Sucking Fiends, Christopher Moore.Some recent flicks...A Scanner Darkly, great Linklater film, Clerks 2, Borat (Yekshamesh!)...and, Bleecker St. pizza.
Sounds Like: Jason Kruk's compositions
Record Label: None
Type of Label: None