WALLY SCHNALLE has been skirting around the Bay Area jazz scene since he quit his Silicon Valley desk job in order to pursue a career playing drums back in 1984. Since then, the freewheeling percussionist has found himself headlining shows across California as well as landing on the bill for several festivals, including the big one in Monterey. In between concerts, Schnalle’s schedule resembles nothing of his cubicle impaired past life – in fact, it’s pretty much one giant drum-athon, from teaching lessons to his position as editor for DRUM! Magazine. Wally recently released Physics & Magic, a powerful display of modern jazz fusion interspersed with the kind of classic nuances that merit timeless appreciation.Garrett Wheeler, Metro Silicon Valley January 2-8, 2008
