By Danny Coleman
originally published: 09/22/2016
"It's where I find the pureness of my expressions," says world class drummer Terry Bozzio on the subjects of his drumming and music as he prepares for a series of upcoming area shows.
Born in San Francisco, CA; Bozzio began toying with what would become his passion at the age of six by playing along to Tito Puente and Ventures records on whatever he could amass. Coffee cans, bent signs and broken arrows for sticks paved the way for Bozzio who was determined to make music however he could. A change came about around the age of 13, when Like so many others at the time, he saw The Beatles performance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" and he became inspired to dream big.
Most musicians have a watershed moment; that moment when the realization hits that being a musician is you're destiny. The moment when nothing else seems to matter, for it's where you find yourself, who you want to become, along with happiness and determination; a determination that will test one's drive and inner fortitude. Bozzio says that even at this stage of his long and storied career; it's still an evolving process. "Oh man," he started with a laugh. "Wow, oh man, there have been so many, that's a really good question; can I say it's still happening? When I was a kid I'd make a drum kit out of anything. I obtained a set of bongos and dismantled them to create a makeshift drum kit. High school was where I started taking the path and then I went to college and those first two years were a big influence; I was a music major. There I had exposure to Coltrane and Williams and jazz and with every experience like that I realized it's what I wanted to do."
While in college, Bozzio was well on his way to becoming an accomplished percussionist; performing regularly with local symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles. The early '70's saw Terry turn his interest towards jazz and he began performing with area groups along side of "A List" players; even recording his first album on Fantasy Records. "I don't knock education but no music education can match learning through experience," he stated with confidence. "The things or drummers which have influenced me? No one person has directly influenced me; meaning I never tried to play like or imitate anyone. The ones I admired could all do certain things; not better than the others but differently. I found my own way and I only did that through my experiences. I have some favorites like Dennis Chambers but to this day, nobody has surpassed Billy Cobham. To me, nobody beats him as an educator or a drummer. I also learned that being in the background isn't a bad thing either; could you imagine the Rolling Stones without Charlie Watts? Him, Ringo, these guys weren't flashy but they were solid. I wouldn't want to hear the Stones or Beatles without either of those guys; it wouldn't be the same. They are two of the most tasteful drummers around."
1975 saw the turning point in his still developing career. Terry auditioned for Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention. "I hadn't had a day job since I was in college. I was playing and I saw dollar signs and Frank, well; do you have four hours? Even four hours wouldn't scratch the surface of what I could tell you about him. He took a musically educated, semi-classically trained drummer and made me world famous in a month! I was so young, I was 24 when he took me on and it changed everything. Frank was so talented, I'm not sure how many people know just how talented he was as a musician, a comedian, he was so funny and fun to be around and as a classical composer; he was incredible. I do have one regret and that is that I never got to back him up before he passed away. I would have loved to have performed with him as an older and more experienced musician; I know it would've been something."
Terry used that success to parlay it into more opportunities as his stock rose. Now a force to be reckoned with; in 1977 he joined the Brecker Brothers and further padded his ever growing resume. "Those guys could really play," he stated with respect in his voice. "Today, today's kids may never know how good they were or even know that type of quality. It's a shame the way music is now. There are so many great drummers and musicians out there; it's ridiculous the ones that go undiscovered. Formal training doesn't equal art and there are many untrained talents who are superior to trained composers. Playing with the Brecker Brothers, so much feel and freedom went into their music that it allowed me to expand my brain (laughs)."
A prolific composer in his own right, Bozzio has 12 discs of material and has appeared on countless others. A new disc and/or possible DVD are in the works and as he explained; there's much material to pull from. "I'm still doing Terry Bozzio compositions 20 and 30 years after they were written. I'm thinking of and in process of putting together a sort of family history of Terry Bozzio. I want to include a few songs from every band that I've played with and use some Japanese musicians to put it all together; I seem to do really well over there."
Like his talent, Bozzio uses a d w drum kit which seems larger than life. His "Big Kit," as listed on his web site includes: "26 toms, 2 snares, 8 bass drums, 53 cymbals, 22 pedals (Included in this total are five working hi-hats), 2 electronic drums and miscellaneous percussion." "I travel around and do clinics and perform my material; I accompany myself," he said with a hearty laugh. "My drums are not normal, they are tuned to different melodies; chromatic on the left and bass notes on the right. I need octaves to play two hours of solo drums, eight of my cymbals are actually notes in scales; so bringing my kit anywhere is very hard but it's worth all of the effort."
One would think that a man of Bozzio's ability and talent would offer up some thoughts on the state of music today; he did not disappoint as he opined quickly and curtly. "There's a lot of garbage out there that kids can't play. Nothing really excites me from many of the new artists and there's nothing on TV that excites me either. There's a lot of what I call disposable stuff. Stuff with a short shelf life; no longevity."
With four shows in four nights, September 22 at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA, an already sold out show on September 23 at Havana in New Hope, PA, followed the next night at the Newton Theater in Newton, NJ and concluding on September 25 at City Winery in NYC; Bozzio has his work cut out for him. "I love doing music on my drums," he stated rather matter of factly. "I play myself! I enjoy the shit out of it but it's tough. I enjoy playing in New Jersey, the New York energy seems to spread and for some reason the audiences there relate well to me. These gigs in Philly, Jersey and New York are always a great time!"
To find out more about Terry Bozzio and/or purchase tickets; please go to www.terrybozzio.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church Street Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Fri. 8 p.m. Rick & Kenny
Sat. 8 p.m. Sounds of the Street
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers Street Trenton
Thurs. 6 p.m. Disclaimer, Nemesis, Rwanda, Bahscumbug (Tour Kickoff), Triggered Impulse (Tour Kickoff), Better At Night, Samasara. All ages, $10
Fri. 7 p.m. (TBA). All ages, $10
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Wed. 8:30 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. David Dales Trio
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 8 p.m. Hazelrigg Brothers
Sun. (12 p.m.) Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Larry Tritel
Wed. 6 p.m. Michelle Wiley
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Radam Swartz Organ Quartet. $10 (cover charge includes buffet)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Fri. 9 p.m. 80's Undercover
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Matt Katz
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (9 p.m.) Wizard Duo
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Harry Walther
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (4 p.m.) Dustin Beck & the Wild Bunch
Wed. 8 p.m. Michael Leggerie
Fran's Pub116 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Fri. 9 p.m. Manifested
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Catch 5
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows age 21+
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8 p.m. Terry Bozzio. Doors at 6 p.m., (As of publication, this event is SOLD OUT)
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Se7en
Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline Blues Band
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Michael Bond & Jean Chaumont
Fri. 6 p.m. Pocketful of Soul
Sat. 6 p.m. (Closed for a private event)
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Al Oliver
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Gregg Parker
Sat. 1 p.m. Ronnie Brandt
Sun. 2 p.m. Tom Fuller
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 9 p.m. Slo Motion
Sat. 9 p.m. Papa Delux
All shows 21+
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publik House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Live Music on the Paddy-O" (TBA)
Sat. 8 p.m. "Fire Pit Party" w/ DJ Jimmy G
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 7 p.m. "2016 Laurita Idol Singing Showcase" Adult Idol Tryouts
Sat. 11 a.m. "Back To School Fire Pits & Food Truck Festival" feat. (11 a.m.) Ballyhaunis (2 p.m.) Nikki Briar and The SweetBriar Band (6 p.m.) Pennington Station
Sun. 11 a.m. "Back To School Fire Pits & Food Truck Festival" feat. (11 a.m.) The Surge (1:30 p.m.) The Polish Nannies (5 p.m.) 80's Undercover
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out" / "Color Between The Wines
Levitt Amp Trenton 2016 Music SeriesCapital Green @ 201 Barrack Street Trenton
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Nth Power / Showtyme
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
Sat. 6 p.m. Deb & Mike
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 9 p.m. Last Call
Sat. 9 p.m. "College House / Hip-Hop Party" feat. DJ RV & MC Slim
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 8 p.m. "Best of The Eagles." $20 (advance)
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Rick Winow & Danny Coleman
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. JB Rocks
Sat. 8 p.m. DAQ Jazz
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Infinite Bandwidth
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Sat. 8 p.m. "40 Years Retrospective" (CD Release) w/ Punk Rock Accordianist Malcolm Tent. $5
Sun. 12 p.m. Randy Now's 60th Birthday Party
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "College Night" w/ DJ Bob E. Luv. Ages 21+ (2 IDs required), $15 ($5 w/ valid college ID)
Fri. (4 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet, $10 (8:30 p.m.) Good Company
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Chris Harford and The Band of Changes
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 8 p.m. Tom Littwin Quartet. $20
Sat. 7 p.m. Dark Whiskey. $20
Sun. (3 p.m.)"History of the Harp in Ireland" w/ Ellen Tepper. $20 (8 p.m.) "Mele uhane" The Music of Hawaii w/ Bill Wynne. $20
Take 5 Gourmet Cafe1065 Washington Boulevard Robbinsville
(609) 443-6800
Fri. 7:30 p.m. DiRty ReD "Unplugged"
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. The Polish Nannies
Sat. 10 p.m. The Billy Walton Band
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. ArHouse
Sat. 9 p.m. Sleeping Dogs Lie
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Twisted Charm
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Darius The First
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Fri. 8 p.m. Bill Kirchen (LP Release Tour). All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $25 (advance)
Sat. 8 p.m. "The Recovery Troubador Series: A Benefit" feat. Ricky Byrd / Genya Ravan. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $18 suggested donation
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Pretty Baby
Sat. 7 p.m. El Ka Bong
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Sat 9 p.m. Mike Nabinger
Tues. (7 p.m.) "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman (9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. 4 p.m. First Friday
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Trinity UMC1985 Pennington Road Ewing
Sun. 12 p.m. "Concert To End Gun Violence" feat. Rob Hyman & Eric Bazilian, York Street Hustle, Jeffrey Gaines, Miche Braden, Joe Miller & Kuf Knotz, The May Darlings, Dan Kassel, The Williamsboy, Soul Custody Duo, Rock and Roll Over, Papa Carl & Guy DeRosa, Kevin Toft, Sad Patrick & Bethlehem, Khalid Quesada, Kevin John Allen, Craig Smith & Brian Jacobs, Brian Joyce & Don Feiler, Caitlin Fair, (TBA). NO CHARGE FREE ADMISSION
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Steal Your Face. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Joe Galuppo, Lowlight, Hidden Cabins. ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night (Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
All shows 21+
Yardley Inn82 East Afton Avenue Yardley, PA
(215) 493-3800
Sat. 8 p.m. Kate and Chuck
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
