Happy non-winter, friends!  I’ll start with my customary ‘shout-out’ (!!!) to a few of the artists who’ve been brave enough to hire me of late ; – as well – you (yes, you) should plan to catch them live in the Boston area sooner than later:

[clicking a name [...]]]> 29-February-2012 / Boston, MA

Happy non-winter, friends!  I’ll start with my customary ‘shout-out’ (!!!) to a few of the artists who’ve been brave enough to hire me of late ; – as well – you (yes, you) should plan to catch them live in the Boston area sooner than later:

[clicking a name directs you to a corresponding website]

~ ~ Chris Stovall Brown, Alizon Lissance, Jess Tardy, Michelle Willson, Jody Blackwell, Parker Wheeler, Amy Fairchild, Myanna, Dave Sag’s Blues Party ~ ~

Also – just out is a new CD from singer/songwriter Ryan Mara, with me bashing about on the batterie.  We had a great time recording this at Zippah last year.  That sesson was the 1^st time I’d met an amazing young bassist by the name of Justin Schornstein.   Justin is such a great talent…I hope we get an opportunity be a ‘rhythm section’ again in the near future.

Looking ahead to Spring – my little jazz group the Tough Love Trio will be returning to the Acton Jazz Café on May 2^nd.  It’s the early show, 7pm to 8:30pm.  Hope to see you (yes, you) there!

Best, Steve

The below pic was taken by fellow New England ‘drum chum’ Leo Ciaramitaro, @  recent “Drummer Bloke’s Hang” !

L-R: SC, Jerome Deupree, Andrew Jones, Dave Mattacks, Benny Benson, & Skip Hadden.

…really:

In December I became a Dad for the 1st time! Between the truly amazing ride of caring for our newborn son during his 1st year, & the amount of gigs I’ve been [...]]]> So far, so good, 2011!  Per usual, here’s a long overdue update from yours truly….but i’ve got an excuse…

…really:

In December I became a Dad for the 1st time! Between the truly amazing ride of caring for our newborn son during his 1st year, & the amount of gigs I’ve been fortunate to play – as well as teaching privately…I’ve been busier than I’ve ever been. I know I’ve not been updating the ‘gigs’ page here as regularly as I should, but I’m working on it. I’m also on ‘Twitter’ (stevechag), ‘Facebook’ & ‘LinkedIn’ (though not as regularly) & do try to send out periodic live performance updates though those networks.

~ ~ As my son is down for his 1st nap of the day, I’m quickly attempting to type up this brief update ~ ~

1st off, “shout outs” for being able to fill the calendar with some truly awesome musicians [& people] so far this year. Prominently in my mind right now//to name a few: Jody Blackwell; Michael Payette & Cassandre McKinley; Myanna; Chris Stovall Brown; Alizon Lissance; Michelle “Evil Gal” Willson; Dave Sag’s Blues Party (most recently w/Boston legend Willie Loco Alexander); “The Regal Queen of the Blues” – Shirley Lewis; Thomas Hebb; Celia Slattery; Orville Giddings; Greg Luttrell, Ben Zecker, Natalie Fernandez, & Vinny Briguglio (the Redline crew); & of course my own little jazz group the Tough Love Trio – most recently w/special guest saxophonist Danny Harrington.  [...Apologies if I've left anyone out....it's early in the morning ...]

I mentioned Jody Blackwell above. Her new album, ‘Come and Gone’, is OUT, it is FANTASTIC, & I’m honored to have been a part of it. DO check it out: here .  I may have mentioned this before, but not only does Jody write & sing beautifully, she’s got an awesome cast of characters playing on her new album…. guitarists Mike Mele & Duke Levine; Hammond B3 organist Ken Clark; bassist Joe McMahon….  There will be some more gigs with Jody coming up (& I’ll be sure to put them up this site).

I’m also doing some more session work this year (particularly at the fabulous Zippah studio) – - and most recently with Boston singer/songwriter Ted Hu.  The compositions Ted had me record were quite challenging, but in the end very rewarding. When his album his completed & released, I’ll be sure to mention it here.

Dad has to run now!  Until soon….

taken by moi @ Blue Ocean Music Hall, Salisbury MA

My fellow New Englanders know how l-o-n-g this season is…

Thanks for tuning in to this [...]]]> Greetings friends near & far.  I hope this finds you healthy, doing well, and gearing up (in the most optimistic way possible) for winter.

My fellow New Englanders know how l-o-n-g this season is…

Thanks for tuning in to this installment of whatever it is that Steve does with those drums & whatnot…

(…whatnot IS indeed a word.  Grandmother White used it ALL the time).

Before I get going, I just want to thank the universe for my friend, colleague/fellow drummer John Sands. (Please click that link for a glimpse of John’s incredible musical contributions.) John had a major heart attack on Monday morning the 15th of November.  After quick action by Jess Tardy, and the truly superhuman efforts by the team at Mass’ General Hospital, they brought John back – albeit with a grave prognosis.  The cardiac team even thought early on that his heart was not likely save-able.  After surgery and extraordinary care at MGH, along with the deluge of collective prayers/good vibes/love/well-wishes sent from tons of friends & loved ones, he is now expected to make a full recovery and will not need a heart transplant! The Dr.’s at MGH have said that this is “nothing short of a miracle”. Regarding donations for John’s ongoing medical care – yes we can help – - Please make checks out to John Sands, & send to: “Sands Gates” P.O. Box 301554, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130.

This update from me is likely to be the last for a little while, as my son is due to enter the world sometime in December.  Being 1^st time parents, I imagine we’ll be tied up for a bit, as we get into the rhythm of this electrifying new adventure!

Reflecting back for a bit on the summer, I’m thankful to have been blessed with a healthy amount of freelance gigs with diverse mix of gifted artists – - Bobby Keyes,  Alizon Lissance,  Michelle Willson,  Jared Sims,  The Chicken Slacks,  Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander,  Justin Quinn,  Toni Lynn Washington,  Mike Benjamin,  Greg Luttrell, Orville Giddings, The Love Dogs, and Chris Stovall Brown, to name a few.

The Tough Love Trio had a blast once again at the venerable Acton Jazz Café on October 30^th.  That was the last public show for us at the AJC until after I get into the new-fangled fatherhood groove.  Here’s a video clip from that night. We’ll be back there on March 26^th for our spring show.

I was very pleased that our new original composition Equally More made it’s debut that evening.  This tune was co-written by TLT guitarist Mike Mele and myself.  It was something that I started and Mike finished. After spending far too much time at the piano trying to sort out what I was hearing (I’m crap on piano), I finally got what became the 1st half down on paper.  I then sent it off to Mr. Mele, who composed the 2^nd half (and adeptly applied his voluminous harmonic expertise to the whole of it).  Eventually Mike & I got together, sorted through what we had and finished it off.  The three of us settled on the final arrangement during the rehearsal before the AJC show.  I’m grateful to Mike for his virtuosity, and for being a patient coach.  I would’ve walked away from this idea if it weren’t for him, and this tune would never have seen the light of day.  As well, I’m indebted to both Blake & Mike for how the finished song feels in all of our hands.  That collaboration gives me confidence to do more of the same!

Update on Jody Blackwell’s forthcoming album: Brian Charles @ Zippah has completed all of the mixes, and Jonathan Wyner @ M Works has completed the mastering!  Lucky for my ears – I got to hear Brian’s final mixes pre-mastering, and was absolutely astounded with the fidelity.  Brian did a truly stellar job engineering this album.   As well, I’ve heard Jonathan’s final master, and he once again has demonstrated precisely why he’s the preeminent mastering engineer in these parts.  Musically and sonically, this is a most exceptional recording.  This album is a fantastic blend of  Jody’s masterful songwriting, and many of Boston’s A-list musicians – including guitarists Mike Mele & Duke Levine; bassist Joe McMahon, & organist Ken Clark.  I’m very proud to be a part of this!   It’s not easy for me to make clear just how massively rewarding it was (& still is) to have been involved in an album like this.  Having done all kinds of gigs, with all kinds of people, for all kinds of reasons, it’s really wonderful to be on a recording of this caliber.  As soon as a release date is set – for both the CD and the concert/event, I will post it here.  I believe Jody is targeting a March ’11 release.

Jonathan Wyner, 12-Nov-10. Photo by Jody Blackwell.

**Fellow drummers (and/or anybody interested in ‘musical gear geek-speak’), the following section is for you.  Others beware…it’s bizarre down there… proceed with caution.**

~  A couple of recent tales from the diverse world of snare drums ~

As told on my gear page, the kit that gets the most mileage under my sticks is one I affectionately refer to as ‘The Workhorse’ – an Eames set finished in Cherry Wine.  With the Tough Love Trio, I use this very kit, but swap out the 20” bass drum in favour of an 18”.

While my numero uno snare drum has been my 7″ x 14″ black Eames Master Model Monster, I’ve been clandestinely daydreaming about Eames Drum Company’s new line – the Vintage-E series (a.k.a. 6+6).  The Vintage-E is comprised of a 6-ply birch shell, but both bearing edges are 12-ply (hence, “6+6″).  Vintage-E employs sound reinforcing rings on the top & bottom of the shell’s interior.  Like all lines offered by Eames, the Vintage-E is entirely handcrafted by master drum maker Joe MacSweeney.  The end result (in my view) is a drum shell that blends the warmth & classic rebound of an older (Vintage) drum, but with the strength & character that is so patently Eames.  This drum measures 7.5″ x 14″ – a 1/2 inch deeper than my Master Model.  As I wanted Joe to outfit this drum with Ludwig’s Colosseum lugs (to match the lugs on my Workhorse kit), it was determined that the drum would need to be 1/2″ deeper in order for the re-rings to clear the lug screws.  Fine by me!  This drum is simply gorgeous, both in sound and sight, and will likely become my 1st choice for use with the Tough Love Trio.

2010 Eames 'Vintage E' / 7.5"x14" / Cherry Wine Satin

Thanks to Derek Cooper up at the Drum Barn [Ipswich MA], I was able to acquire a vintage (1980) Ludwig Supraphonic model # 402 – which is the same snare drum as their famous model # 400, but measures deeper – at 6.5” x 14” (instead of 5” x 14”).   The 402 is the snare drum that John Bonham used & made famous with a band you might’ve heard about called Led Zeppelin.

As many drummers familiar with older Ludwig 400 & 402 models know, chrome plating never stuck very well to those “Ludalloy” (aluminum) shells.   As these drums age – and depending on how they’ve been cared for – the chrome plating tends to flake off.  I’d mentioned to Derek that I was looking around for an older 402, but wasn’t interested in paying top dollar for an especially clean one via eBay (or elsewhere).  So long as the shell was dent-free, I was willing to take a rather shabby drum and put some TLC into it.  Derek came through, and an apt drum was tendered from his collection.  A visit to South Shore Plating [Quincy, MA] was next, to have them completely remove the flaky chrome plating.  I thought that perhaps the naked shell might look good after buffing (like the Ludwig Acrolite model) but as this 402 is 30+ years old, there were far too many little pits, nooks & crannies on it’s exterior – not atypical of elder ludalloy shells.   I wasn’t keen on having the shell re-plated – only to eventually deal with the same side-effect again.  In the past, ‘powder-coating’ a ludalloy shell had proven to be a decent alternative.  I opted to have this drum powder-coated in “appliance white” – nicely done by Light Metal Platers [Waltham, MA].  As you’ll notice from the photo below, the shell came out so well that I decided to dress it in black tube lugs with matching black hoops.  Magnifique!

'80 Ludwig Supraphonic #402 /Blk Tube lugs & white powder-coat, 11/2010

The vintage purists probably wouldn’t like what I’ve done to this drum, as I believe they’d have preferred that I left well enough alone.  At the very least, they’d think that I devalued the drum by messing with it – – and from an Antiques Roadshow point of view, they’re right.  In my defense, I’m not a drum collector or curator.  I don’t own anything that doesn’t get played.  If the drum had been in pristine shape, then sure, I’d have left it alone.  But as the shell was as tatty as a feral cat, I had no problem with revitalizing and customizing it.  Translation: this drum is a ‘player’, not a ‘collector’.  I’d much rather own a drum I can play, than a drum that sits on display on a glass turntable.  In my view, I improved it, and it sounds just as wonderful–if not more so–than it did prior to tweaking with it.

…and speaking of turntables… here’s my fav’…

Technics 1200 MK2, Direct-Drive Turntable

Mike Mele, Jody Blackwell, Steve Chaggaris, Joe McMahon

Eames drum set in Cherry Wine, w/matching snare drum.

Here’s a brief update on some stuff…

- – Recently I was back in the studio (Zippah) with the gifted singer/songwriter Jody Blackwell, adding more drums & percussion to her forthcoming album.  Stay tuned [...]]]> Happy Spring/Summer folks… at long last … & let’s pray that we’re past the ‘monsoon’ season!

Here’s a brief update on some stuff…

- – Recently I was back in the studio (Zippah) with the gifted singer/songwriter Jody Blackwell, adding more drums & percussion to her forthcoming album.  Stay tuned for more news about this project.  I must say that Brian Charles is once again doing an outstanding job recording this album.  The tracks I’ve heard thus far sound tremendous!

- – I’m happy to report I’ll be playing a string of gigs this summer with guitar virtuoso Bobby Keyes in his trio (which also includes bass virtuoso Marty Ballou).  I’m a lucky drummer! Check the gigs page for dates/times, etc.

- – In addition to our upcoming performance {1st time} @ Chanti on May 7th, the Tough Love Trio is also back at the beloved Acton Jazz Café on Saturday July 3^rd.

- – For fans of the annual summer concert series {out on the back lawn of the ‘Great House’} at the Crane Estate/Castle Hill in Ipwich, I’ll be there again with Orville Giddings (with his extended ensemble) on September 2^nd.

- – The ‘Wet Paint’ reunion concert is still in the works! All five original members are “in”, and the gig will be the 1^st time we’ve all played together since 1991-ish.  We’re still trying to secure a venue and sort out the various schedules, etc.

I do try my best to keep the gigs page updated on a [somewhat] regular basis… please check-in for more area performances.

~~~ Here’s wishing you all a wonderful summer! ~~~

Best…. Steve

Jody Blackwell, Annie Hoffman, Steve Chaggaris, & Brian Charles; Zippah Recording, 25th April 2010.