Welcome to my little corner of the web. I am a drum set, Latin percussion and jazz educator, clinician, and performer who resides in Iowa City, IA.

This is what I do and have been doing for the last 50 + years to one degree or another: Play drums, teach drums, write for drums, give clinics about drums (Latin and jazz issues), study drums, love drums and own all manner of drums.

My rich drum life has been nurtured by a vibrant and full “real” life that includes my amazing wife, family, friends and numerous musical collaborators, all growing amongst the tall corn fields of Iowa.

I am now an Emeritus Professor (jazz) at the University of Iowa. I taught many courses over my career and established the UI Latin Jazz Ensemble (2001 – 2022).

I also play as much as I can with the great musicians who live here in Eastern Iowa. I have numerous groups that I play with, however, my recent projects are the Beaker Brothers Band, 3 Dawgs and a Bone, The Fabulous Trutones, and my Latin jazz group RITMOCANO. 

I have published a book through Hal Leonard called “Latin Jazz Guide, A Path to Authentic Percussion and Ensemble Performance,” Please check it out here, at the companion website. I published my second book in 2021 called, “Standard Tune Learning Sequence, A Musical Approach to Improvisation for Jazz Drummers.” This is also available on Amazon.

Now that I am retired from full time college teaching, I hope to spend more time providing guidance on jazz, Latin jazz issues and drum set issues, for schools, jazz programs and ensembles. Please contact me for more information (see contacts above), and I hope to visit with you soon. jd