19.09. – Happy Birthday !!! Bruce, a Philadelphia native, was a member of St. Joseph Prep High School’s Concert Band. He played percussion for four years under the direction of Charles Fitzpatrick.
After graduation the young drummer enrolled in the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts where he studied classical percussion with Anthony Orlando of the Philadelphia Orchestra. During that time he also took private lessons with the late great Philly Joe Jones.
Bruce then went to Berklee College of Music to further his studies. While at Berklee he studied with Allan Dawson. Bruce has performed with stellar Jazz artists Sonny Rollins, JJ Johnson, Stanley Turrentine, Geroges Adams, Jon Hendricks, as well as Blues artists Memphis Slim, Brazilian artist Toninho Horta. With vocalists Jon Hendricks, DeeDee Bridgewater, Andy Bey, Anne Ducros, Carla Cook and Gino Sitson he has performed and recorded.
On the funkier side Bruce has been a member of the Fred Wesley band for the last 13 years performing and recording in the US and Europe. During the 13 years period Bruce has also performed and recorded with Fred Wesley’s long time stable mates (with Mr James Brown) Maceo Parker and Pee Wee Ellis. (James Brown tribute in June 2007). Bruce teaches percussion at several public elementary school in Brooklyn through the Brooklyn Queens Conservatory of Music outreach program.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnYCtpjIBI4
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