Tad McCully was six years old when he discovered he had a natural talent for drumming. When he was eight, he began studying with a local Brooklyn teacher who played in the U.S. Navy band. At age 10, Tad received his first drumset, and during the summer, at age 12, attended the French Woods Arts and Music Camp, where he was chosen to play with the faculty band in an end-of-the-summer performance of The Who's 'Tommy'.
At age 14, Tad began studying with Ricky Sebastian at Drummer's Collective, and by age sixteen, he began playing professionally, sometimes subbing for Ricky. Mr. McCully attended Elisabeth Irwin High School (the continuing school of Little Red School House) which included well-funded music and theatre departments, and featured very talented budding actors/performers. Tad was selected as pit drummer for all school productions, which included "West Side Story," "Godspell" and "Little Shop of Horrors." The other members of the pit orchestra were professionally-hired musicians outside of the high school. Other high school playing experiences included big band performances, small group jazz and rock combos and demo recordings. During the summer of his junior year Tad also attended the Berklee College of Music Summer Session.
After high-school, Mr. McCully attended Philadelphia's University of The Arts, where he landed the drum chair in the University of The Arts Big Band as a freshman. Here he also discovered his knack for teaching, after being sought out by fellow students, who wanted to learn his interesting grooves and fills. Realizing he was missing New York, Tad transferred to the Manhattan School of Music after his sophomore year. Tad left after a year to pursue his playing career, and to study with drummer Zach Danziger, who introduced him to guitarist Wayne Krantz and bass player Tim LeFebvre. Since then, Tad has been building an impressive performance resume, that includes gigs/performances with Randy Brecker, Wayne Krantz, Charles Blenzig, Tim LeFebvre, Sergio Brandao, Pete McCann, Rufus Philpot, Leni Stern, Rich Rowlinson Trio, Osmoses (with whom Tad toured Martinique, including a televised concert at L'Atrium), Eric Wollman Trio, Burr Johnson Band, Paul Socolow, Hector Martignon, Lincoln Goines, Gary Fritz, Ted Cruz, Danny Draher, Jim Pugh and many others.
Tad McCully both records and performs frequently in New York City and throughout the tri-state area, as well as nationally and internationally. Most recently, Mr. McCully was chosen to play drums for a tour with Kasim Sulton (Todd Rundgren, Meatloaf). Tad is also a long time member of The Burr Johnson Band led by monster fusion guitarist Burr Johnson. He shares the drum chair with Thierry Arpino (Jean-Luc Ponty), Joel Rosenblatt (Michel Camilo, Spyro Gyra) and Kim Plainfield (Bill Connors, Tania Maria). Tad is also the drummer for the funk/pop powerhouse "Rabbits Against Magic" led by singer/songwriter Michelangelo (arranger/HBO composer). Other 'Rabbits' members are Sebastian Noelle (K.O.A.N., Secret Society) and Trifon Dimitrov (JUKE, Marsha Heydt Group). Tad is also dedicated to launching the current lineup of his own fusion band JUKE, including the great Oz Noy on guitar, Jon Price on bass, Ted Cruz on keyboards and Gary Fritz on percussion (Roberta Flack, Dave Valentine, Onaje Allen Gumbs).
Mr. McCully also remains a dedicated teacher, maintaining a full roster of students. Among Tad's past and present students are several celebrities, including NYC police commissioner Ray Kelly, New York Times' best-selling author Koren Zailckas ('Smashed'), and actors Eric Thal and (currently) Haley Joel Osment. Mr. McCully's lessons were recently featured in 'Time Out NY' magazine. Tad is the son of famous author and illustrator Emily Arnold McCully.
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