#177 Steve Fidyk- Drummer, Educator, Writer and More!
Known for his versatility and musical approach, jazz drummer Steve Fidyk has earned national and international acclaim as an artist, author, composer and columnist. His third recording as a leader features an all-star band of New York’s finest — the impressive front-line of trumpet legend Joe Magnarelli and tenor titan Xavier Perez, alongside the rhythm team of pianist Peter Zak, and bassist Michael Karn. Each member is an active, contributing participant that pushes Fidyk’s hard hitting rhythmic and melodic message direct to the theatre of operations.
Steve’s father John Fidyk, who played tenor saxophone with groups throughout North Eastern Pennsylvania, began taking him on gigs as a substitute drummer at the age of eight. Encouraged by his parents, Fidyk pursued music throughout high school, and majored in music education at Wilkes University. He played drums in the big band under the direction of Bob Wilbur and eventually Tom Heinze. It was at this time that he began to immerse himself in jazz, listening to the great big bands of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich. Rich was the first jazz drummer Fidyk saw perform live when he was eight years old, and that experience left a lasting impression.
In 1987, after hearing Fidyk play with the Mansfield State College big band, legendary jazz drummer Joe Morello accepted him as a student. Morello was instrumental in helping Steve with his technique, sound production, coordination, and overall approach to playing the instrument. Morello was also helpful with developing his articulate teaching skills, and Fidyk has been dedicated and committed to education ever since.
For over 21 years, Steve Fidyk was the drummer and featured soloist with the Army Blues Big Band, a premier 17- piece jazz ensemble stationed in Washington DC. During his tenure, he performed for seven US Presidents, numerous dignitaries and in 2008, traveled throughout the Middle East supporting the troops during a USO Holiday Tour. Fidyk currently leads a quartet featuring his original compositions and arrangements. He also performs throughout the US with small groups led by tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf and guitarist Jack Wilkins. He is a member of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, a big band led by trumpeter Terell Stafford.
As an educator, Fidyk is a member of the jazz studies faculty at Temple University, The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and serves an educational consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Program. He has authored several drum methods for Mel Bay and Alfred Publications, and contributes columns on a regular basis to Modern Drummer Magazine.
Fidyk has appeared on over 100 recordings and his discography as a co-leader includes Big Kids with John DeSalme (U.S. Roots), and two recordings with The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band: A Perfect Match (Write Groove, 2003) and Live at Blues Alley (OA2, 2006). His debut as a bandleader was Heads Up! (Posi-Tone, 2014) featuring Terell Stafford and Tim Warfield. His follow-up recording, Allied Forces (Posi-Tone, 2016) featured Brian Charette, Doug Webb and Joseph Henson. Both solo recordings feature Steve's original compositions and arrangements.
Steve Fidyk attended the University of North Texas, and holds degrees from Wilkes University and The University of Maryland, College Park. He was a student of Joe Morello, Ed Soph, John Riley, Ralph Peterson, Robert Nowak and Angelo Stella.
Happy Birthday
Birthday shout-out’s to Bill Kreutzmann, Dennis Chambers, Alex Van Halen, Bill Bruford, Billy Cobham, Danny Carey, and Phil Rudd (and the arrest story about him).
Educational Spotlight
PAS Hall Of Fame Class of 2020 - Article
Covid-19 Quarantine Practice Suggestions - Article & Template
Iconic Recording
The Iconic recording was brought up by Steve in the article. The song is called “I’m Tweaked/Attack of the 20lb. Pizza” by Vinnie Colaiuta and his group. You can see the groove broken down HERE.
There is also a sample in the original from the song “Think (About It)” by Lyn Collins and the J.B.s.
Music News
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COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources - an aggregated list of FREE resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines. Click Here.
The Recording Academy® and its affiliated charitable foundation MusiCares® have established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help our peers in the music community affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. Click Here.
Resources for musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic - Chris Robley - Article
Winston House - We pair people in the music industry who need financial help due to COVID-19 with people who can help. Learn more below. - Read more
Without Federal Aid, More than 1,000 U.S. Music Venues Are in Danger of Closing - Article
The association trying to help independent venues keep from closing is the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is securing financial support to preserve the national ecosystem of independent venues and promoters.
To help event professionals safely welcome back fans amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the Event Safety Alliance (ESA) has penned a comprehensive, 29-page-long guide. Here’s a 29-Page Guide for Safely Reopening a Music Venue.
The song leading into the interview is called “Loopholes” by Steve from his forthcoming ‘Battle Lines’ album.
Steve Fidyk Interview
Shout-out to (friend of the show) Gerald Myles for introducing Damon to Steve. Damon eventually met Steve at PASIC.
Steve talks about his son Tony, who is the drummer for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Steve mentions taking lessons with Ed Soph before taking lessons with Joe Morello.
Steve talks about having the Cal Ripken Jr rookie card among others. If anyone is curious how much that could be worth, you can check out THIS POST here.
The group Steve’s father played with was the Bill Black Combo.
Steve mentions the famous Royal Studios in Memphis, that was run by Willie Mitchell.
“Music makes people forget about their problems!” - John Fidyk
Steve teaches at Temple University, The University of the Arts both in Philadelphia and The University of Maryland, in addition to private lessons.
The book Steve wrote with Dave Black (and other books), can all be found on his website HERE.
“Too much analysis can create paralysis” - Terell Stafford
Steve was a member of the United States Army Field Band. He retired as a Master Sergeant.
To get there, he started his graduate degree at the University of North Texas. He eventually finished his degree at Wilkes University.
The first band in the Army that Steve played in (that friends of the show, Gerald Myles and then Glenn Robertson played in as well) is called the Volunteers.
Steve talks about playing in time. Here’s a lengthy lesson on creative ways to make the metronome more fun. You can also download The Clave app if you want to practice percussion playing “in clave”.
Here’s the Modern Drummer Article Steve mentions about changing the placement of the click. He also mentions this week’s iconic recording (above).
Steve (Fidyk) talks about Steve Smith and his group Vital Information.
You can check out the extensive discography that Steve has played on.
Steve talks about the release of his forthcoming album (late June), and the partnership with the music therapy organization, Warrior Beat.
Steve (Fidyk) mentions the old video of Steve Gadd playing “Cissy Strut” in the Army.
The last bit of advice Steve talks about is the importance of recording yourself to listen back and improve your playing. Similar to athletes watching game film.
You can follow Steve on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Steve uses Mapex Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vater Drumsticks, DW Hardware and Pedals, & Remo Drumheads.
The song leading out of the interview is called “Churn” from Steve’s forthcoming album, ‘Battle Lines’.
