Gear
Drum sets:
For the past few years I have been using the Yamaha “Rick Marotta” Hip Gig kit as my main drum set. I have the cherry stained version. I also have a regular sized Pearl drum set that is green. I mainly use this for practicing and private lessons.
Cymbals:
Most of my cymbals are manufactured by Zildjian. My current favorite ride cymbal is a 20″ K Custom Flat Top Ride. I also use a 20″ K Custom Medium Ride quite regularly. My other Zildjian cymbals are a 15″ A Paper Thin Crash, an 18″ K Custom Dark Crash, a 6″ A Splash and 14″ New Beat Hi-Hats.
I have a pair of Paiste 8″ Visions Mini Hi-Hats that I use sometimes. These can be heard on the Cirkestra “Alice” CD. The tracks I use them on are “Charivari” and “Alice on Crack”.
I also have a Wuhan 12″ China cymbal and an LP 12″ Sheung China cymbal that I absolutely love (this was my first cymbal). I don’t think they make these any more. I use an LP 6″ Sheung China cymbal occasionally. This is a very high pitched bell-like cymbal.
Hand Percussion:
Cooperman 16″ tar. This is a beautiful and versatile frame drum.
Set of three Latin Percussion conga drums. Black color.
Touch the Earth darbuka. Green color. You can hear me playing this on the track “Slings” from the Cirkestra “Alice” CD.
Frank Giorgini ghatam. This South Indian clay pot can also be heard on the track “Slings”.
Misc. percussion instruments:
Latin Percussion Black Beauty cowbell, Latin Percussion low pitched Jam Block, RhythmTech Drumset Tambourine, Fredrico Percussion Pan-Man-Fan.
I also have a bunch of misc. bells and shakers.
Sticks, etc.:
I am a proud endorser of Vic Firth products. The Peter Erskine “Ride Stick”, T1 General mallets, Steve Gadd model brushes, Rute and Dreadlocks are my main devices.
Heads:
I am a proud endorser of Eveans drum heads. I use Strata 1000 heads on the batter and resonant heads of my toms and bass drum and on the batter head of my snare drum. I use the either the Orchestral or Hazy 300 snare side heads.