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About Me

I’ve been an active performer in and around the Chicagoland area for many years. Currently, I’m the drummer for Soda, a pop-rock band appearing regularly at weddings, clubs, concerts and festivals. I also freelance with other projects.

Three days a week, I teach at The Drum Pad. When I’m not there, I also have lessons at my home studio. I’ve inspired many students and enjoy working with drummers/percussionists from beginner to advanced.

Feel free to take a look at my resume below.
pdf You may print or download the pdf here.

     

(630) 558-0002
jddrummer@comcast.net

Jeff Decker
 

Versatile, multi-genre drummer and percussionist with
over 30 years experience teaching and performing.
     
   

Teaching

Instructing for drum set, snare drum, rudimental snare drum, all mallet instruments (marimba, vibes, xylophone, etc.) and hand drums. Teaching pragmatic performing skills with a weekly roster of 15-30 students. Exhibiting patience and adaptability with all age and skill levels.

The Drum Pad
Palatine, IL
2003 – present

Palatine Music
Palatine, IL
1990-2004

Schaumburg Music
Schaumburg, IL
1988-2001

Holy Cross High School
River Grove, IL
1990-91, 1979-1984

Fremd High School
Palatine, IL
1984-1985

Maine South High School
Park Ridge, IL
1984
     
   

Performance

Solid sight reader for all types of musicial situations. Well-versed in all styles of music including rock, jazz and latin. Types of shows include festivals, weddings, nightclubs, concerts, corporate events, recording sessions, television performances and musical theater.

OPENED FOR:
The Byrds  |  Foghat  |  Edgar Winter   
Dennis DeYoung

PLAYED WITH:
Jim Peterik  |  Ron Hawking  |  Bill Murray
Jimmy Damon  | Dwayne Thamm  |  Joe Daly
Denise Tomaselo  |  Joey Bishop  | Julie Ponce
John Moran  |  Paula Ramsey  |  Tony Spavone

Hundreds of jobbing & recording projects throughout the U.S.

CURRENT
SODA (www.sodarocks.com)
2008 – present

 

PAST
The Only Sons/
Pete Fleming Orchestra
1994-2008

Crosstown
1987-1994


The ‘Freddie Bell Show,’
Las Vegas, NV,
Atlantic City, NJ
1985-1987

FREELANCE
Chicago Grandstand
Big Band

Barrett Deems Big Band

Chicago Metropolitan
Jazz Orchestra

The Moonlighters Big Band

Jazz Community Big Band

Harmony Productions
(house drummer)

The Royal Trumpet Works

Jazz Nouveau
     
   

Other Projects

“A Guide to Contemporary Drumming”
– Book, 2010

“Innovative Practice Techniques for Snare Drum and Drumset”
– Instructional book for drum students, 2006

“The Cover Band Scene; how to make one size fit all”
– Modern Drummer magazine article, February 2001
     
   

Education

One-on-one instruction from:
Gavin Harrison  |  Mike Mangini  |  Johnny Raab
Dave DiCenso |  Rick Latham
Clayton Cameron |  Joe Morello  |  Tony Caselli
Joel Spencer  |  Bruce  Carver

B.M. Music Performance
Roosevelt University, Chicago IL (1983)

A.A. Music
Triton College, River Grove, IL (1980)
     

References available upon request