Born in Chicago back in 1981, he was born with an incredible ability to play music. As with all musicians, Will was born into an already musical family. His father played the drums, his grandmother and uncle played the piano, and his mother and her brother both played the guitar. Any questions? Didn't think so!Music began for him at the tender age of 5 when he first picked up a pair of drumsticks and started playing on a his fathers drumkit. Right away everyone knew something special was developing. By the age of 7 he following his uncle's leads on guitar playing to old Santana, Mahavishnu records for the first time. Later he would be turned on to the likes of Michael Schenker, and the incredible Yngwvie J. Malmsteen. Although he played to heavier rock influences, do not be fooled, for Will is heavily trained in Jazz drumming. His father had a strict regiment of playing Jazz music saying, 'Anyone can play 4/4, but it takes a real musician to play Jazz.'With that instilled into him, he continued his studies in Jazz music, taking drum lessons at an old Oak Park music store at the corner of Ridgeland and Lake. He continued to persue drum lessons until the age of 9. By this time his family was forced to move to Canada on the request of his step father's job. This changed and started a whole new chapter in his musical life.Being exposed to POP music and growning up in Canada, he lost interest in the drums and soon packed them away, saying 'I'll probably never try those again'. It had suddenly became a chore for him. Then on one fateful Canadian morning, watching MUCH MUSIC Television, Canada's version of MTV, something incredible happend. Something that would change the way he would look at drums forever!That morning the young American was introduced to RUSH for the very first time! And at the age of 11, Neil Peart was like watching god in human form! After seeing Neil for the first time, and seeing what he can do with the drums, he quickly unpacked the drums set them back up and began to play once again. He started to collect everything that Neil Peart did, and later everything that Mike Portnoy did.Upon returning to the United States in 1996 he brought back a brand new appreciation for the drums and a whole new out look on music. With a fresh new set of inspirations he set out to become the NEXT great drummer.He got a taste of the pro musicians life in 2003 when he joined the Michael Charles Band and toured with them. "It was a great experience and great learning tool and something that I'm greatful I had the chance to do." But when touring and personal issues became too much, he decided to leave Michael Charles Band and search for something else. "A year off from the road lets your mind think! You start to look at things differently and just realize whats more important!"After a year off, he put together a trio jam/alternative rock band. "My brother and I were just sitting around recording when we decided to take this act on the road, and we did! We recruited my long time and good personal friend from highschool, to play bass. And for a while we wrote some amazing stuff. Unfortnately, everyone had their own ideas and we just kind of disbanded away from everything."After that series of events Will just kept on playing, and writing. He'll sometimes be seen sitting behind the kit with his long time friend and partner Michael Charles, but mainly just writes music and plays music."I'm currently in the process of writing some new music with my friend Rick Cruz, its more of a melodic prog rock instrumental type stuff. And slowly I'm trying to get back on the local music scene! The way I see the only way to ge a be sucessful is not to give up. Chase those dreams and never let anyone tell you can't do anything, because you never know until you try. That's one thing that I love to preach. You'll never really know until you try!"Currently Will, is back at again writing and recording in his home studio with guitarist, bassist Rick Cruz as featured in his friends list, making progressive bluesy style music for everyone's enjoyment. And as of January of this year he has also teamed up to form a new collaboration with Vapor Action, to bring to you a new fusion of progressive and techno dance music. Watch for new releases coming soon by both talents!!!The playlist on the left features 3-songs with Will playing on each of those tracks. The first is with guitarist and songwriter Michael Charles, on his original song I'll Always Be Around, the second is a collaboration with songwriting virtusoso Rick Cruz, on Geronimo4, which features a strong bunch of time changes in a very progressive wiriting style, and the third track is Will's Drums 101, which of course is his drumsolo recorded in his home studio. Enjoy! I made this layout with help from pYzam , Look at these other Layouts!
I made this layout with help from pYzam , Look at these other Layouts!
.. Will Geronimo's Profile
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