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Charli Persip joins Craviotto Drum Company

Craviotto Drum Company is proud to announce the addition of legendary jazz drummer, Charli Persip to its family of Artist-Endorsees.

After playing with Tadd Dameron in 1953, drummer Charli Persip toured and recorded with Dizzy Gillespie's big and small bands between 1953-1958. Charli then joined Harry Edison's quintet and later the Harry James Orchestra before forming his own group, the Jazz Statesmen with Roland Alexander, Freddie Hubbard, and Ron Carter in 1960. Around this time, Charli Persip also recorded with several formidable jazz musicians including Lee Morgan, Dinah Washington, Kenny Dorham, Zoot Sims, Red Garland, Gil Evans, Don Ellis, Eric Dolphy, Roland Kirk, and Gene Ammons. Persip was also the drummer on the legendary "Eternal Triangle" recording, featuring Sonny Rollins and Sonny Stitt. Charli Persip also toured for several years as a drummer and conductor with Billy Eckstine (1960-1973).

Along with his performing activities, Charli has earned a reputation as a superb educator. Since 1974, Charli Persip has been instructor of drums and music, for Jazzmobile Inc. - New York. He is currently Associate Professor at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan, and has had a highly successful private practice for over fifteen years. As a teacher, Charli ranks among the best. Charli Persip is also a popular attraction at drum clinics, and gives lecture-demonstrations at the nations most prestigious schools: Howard University, University of Massachusetts, Ohio State University, and North Texas State University.

Charli currently leads Supersound, his jazz big band that was started in the mid-80's. The emergence of Supersound (formally known as Superband) as a major musical experience, is underscored by its latest self-produced recording, Intrinsic Evolution. Charli Persip and Supersound's release of Intrinsic Evolution is the fourth album recorded by this suburb band, and showcases 25 years of big band leadership.

Supersound's first album was recorded on the Stash label, and was titled Charli Persip and Superband. The group's second album Superband 11, and third album No Dummies Allowed, was recorded on the Soul Note label. Tracks from these recordings are played on jazz stations throughout the world, especially in the greater New York area, which is also home-base for Charli and his band. The musical direction of Supersound, presents the total spectrum of Jazz. From the Be-bop era to the present, fans of all ages have thoroughly enjoyed listening and dancing to the music of Supersound.

Supersound's library of tunes consists of unique arrangements on both standards and original compositions. The individual sound of the band stems from its tri-concept: First, an excellent rhythm section with a small band feeling. Second, all the horns know the melody and harmonic structure of each tune, as well as their written parts. Thirdly, the band portrays the true drama in the music, while maintaining the basic jazz big band traditions. Supersound’s concept crosses the threshold of musical transformation, with Charli Persips drumming - unique in itself. Supersound is truly a unique jazz orchestra.

Craviotto Drum Company is honored to welcome legendary jazz drummer, Charli Persip, to our family of Artist-Endorsees. For more information on Charli Persip & Supersound and upcoming tour dates, please stay tuned to Http://www.craviottodrums.com for all updates and performance information.

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Chad Cromwell joins Craviotto Drum Company

NOW ON TOUR WITH NEIL YOUNG

Craviotto Drum Company is proud to announce the addition of Chad Cromwell to its family of artist-endorsees. Chad Cromwell's career began to blossom in Memphis, Tennessee during the early 1980's. In 1986, Chad moved out west to join Joe Walsh for a collaboration which produced Got Any Gum? and Ordinary Average Guy, which resulted in multiple US and worldwide tours. The following year, 1987, Chad got the call to record with one of the world's most prolific songwriters, Neil Young. These sessions became Neil Young & The Bluenotes. After touring to promote this record, and producing MTV's 'Video of the Year', This Note's For You, Neil's interest circled back to 3-piece Rock & Roll which led to the New York and San Francisco recording sessions that ultimately became the album Freedom.

In 1990, Chad moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Richard Bennett and Tony Brown were among the first producers in Nashville to request Chad for session work. These two producers would prove extremely helpful in creating a successful recording career for Chad, in Nashville. In 1996, Chad’s artistry behind the drums was formally recognized by his peers, when Chad was nominated for the Nashville Music Awards as "Drummer/Percussionist of the Year". That same year, Chad could be heard on Leann Rimes breakthrough album, "Blue".

During the mid-90's, Mark Knopfler recruited Chad for the recording of Golden Heart, Mark Knopfler’s first solo album. Chad soon went on tour with Mark in 1996, to promote the album. Mark Knopfler and Chad Cromwell would go on to work together quite a bit; including the soundtracks to the films Metroland and the US blockbuster Wag The Dog. Knopfler would team up with Cromwell again in 2001 for his album Sailing To Philadelphia, 2003's album The Ragpicker's Dream, & 2004's album Shangri-La.

Chad's studio work would continue throughout 2004 and 2005, working with artists such as Sugarland, Gretchen Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, Marty Stewart, and Miranda Lambert.

Chad Cromwell's career has seen him in the studio and on stage/TV/touring with an impressive list of major recording artists. In addition to those already mentioned, Chad's versatility behind the drums has been showcased with multiple country and pop artists throughout the years. Chad Cromwell has executed a solid-feel behind many of today's hit-making artists, including: Blake Shelton, John Michael Montgomery, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Jessica Simpson, Boz Scaggs, Wynonna, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Frampton, Donnie Osmond, Gary Allen, Radney Foster, Comedians Jeff Foxworthy & Bill Engvall, Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, Amy Grant, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Brooks & Dunn, and Keb' Mo'.

The spring of 2005 brought a new project with Neil Young, called "Prairie Wind". The spring of 2006 brought another recording called "Living with War". Chad performed on Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" Movie, filmed and directed by Johnathan Demme, during the summer of 2005.

During 2006, Chad was hard at work in the studio with artists Livingston Taylor, Toby Keith, as well as recording tracks featured on a new box set release "These Days" by acclaimed country music star Vince Gill. Chad would continue throughout 2006 recording and touring with Neil Young and performing on CSNY's "Freedom of Speech Tour".

Chad Cromwell is currently touring Europe with Neil Young. The tour is expected to run through mid-2009, and US dates will be announced in the coming months.

Craviotto Drum Company is honored to have Chad Cromwell join our family of artist-endorsees.