Versatility, feel, groove, listening skills, and attention to detail are some of the musical traits that Curt is known for. These are strengths he has brought to the many groups he played with over the years, and currently performs with today. Curt grew up in a rich musical environment with seemingly few musical boundaries. This experience fostered an open mind to a wide variety of musical styles, thereby helping him to be influenced by the many different kinds of bands that were exploding on the scene as a young drummer. Versatility and fitting into any kind of musical context is one of his greatest joys.
Curt grew up in Belmont California and started playing the drums about the age of 11. Before he started playing drums he played the clarinet and continued into middle school. Around this time he dropped the clarinet and began his lifelong focus on the drums. His first experience playing the drums was a local drum corps of very young kids. The teachers of this drum corps were none other than Mickey Hart, drummer for the Grateful Dead, and his father who was a rudimental drummer. The drum corps experience would be foundational and a big part of his drumming background and education for many years to come. This culminated with being a player and then instructor for the National Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.
Curt got his first drumset around 6th grade. This began another foundational experience that so many young musicians benefit from which is the school music programs. His Middle school and High school programs were really terrific and life changing. These years set him up with the musical education and performance experiences that helped him excel as a drummer. In his senior year in high school he was selected for the Monterey Allstar High School Jazz Band.
Curt graduated from San Jose State University and studied percussion with Anthony Cirone. He left school for 2 years to play fulltime and perform in many different bands. He returned to school and enrolled in the Jazz studies program. Curt graduated as a Jazz Major.
With 100’s of recordings to his credit, Curt has shared the recording studio and performance stage with a wide variety of artists. Some of these include: Francisco Aguabella, Count Baise Orchestra, Chuck Berry, Ray Brown, Joyce Cooling, John Clayton, Richard Davis, Pete Escovedo, Bruce Forman, Lola Falana, Vic Firth, Mimi Fox, Different Drums Percussion group, Scott Hamilton, Jimmy Haslip, Jimmy Heath, Jackie and Roy, Andy Narell, Patrick Palomo, Bernadette Peters, Rufus Reed, Francios Rabatth, San Jose Jazz Orchestra, Turtle Island String Quartet, Mike Galisatus Big Band, Long Meadow Ranch Allstar Big Band, San Jose Allstar Big Band. The most recent project is The Trio, a piano, bass, drums, group that has three different recordings to its credit.
Curt is co-leader along with Jon Eriksen, of the Latin Jazz group Soul Sauce. This band has been on the scene and playing since 1999. Soul Sauce derives its inspiration and most of its musical book from the late Cal Tjader. The group is comprised of Vibes, piano, bass, drumset, percussion. The group has a recording out entitled “Got Sauce?” Over the years the band has evolved and added a healthy dose of Brazilian and Jazz to the repertoire. Curt is the author and focus of a highly acclaimed instructional DVD on Afro-Cuban drumset techniques and styles entitled “Grooves you can use.” He maintains a fully active teaching schedule of private students, workshops, and clinics.
Here is a list of my teachers who have taught me so much. I am forever grateful. Mickey Hart, Mike Currotto, Mike Delucia, Mr. Cotton, Bob Kalkofen, Anthony Cirone, Fred SanFord, Mike Clark, David Garibaldi, Peter Erskine.
Curt Endorses Vic Firth Sticks, Evans Drum Heads.