FACULTY ESSAY
by Paul Wertico
Assistant Professor and Head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies
To some people, a drummer spends his or her life just hitting things and making a lot of noise. To others,
the drummer invokes images of physical coordination, grace, energy
and rhythm. Others look at a drummer and fantasize about what
extra-musical opportunities and escapades he or she must have experienced.
To the more enlightened, the drummer represents the heart
and soul of any band, its driving force and thus its musical conductor
in many ways. Actually, all of the above scenarios are valid in some
respects, depending on the music and the circumstances.
During my professional career, I’ve been both a performer and an
instructor. I’ve played the drums around the world as a member of the
Pat Metheny Group from 1983 until 2001 and have been fortunate to
receive seven Grammy Awards and several gold records. Currently,
I’m head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies in Roosevelt’s
Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) and actively perform
and record with many different artists around the globe. With over
40 years of private teaching experience, I’ve taught a wide variety
of students, ranging from high school and college level players, to
highly successful professionals (Glenn Kotche from the band Wilco,
Jeff Quay from Blue Man Group and even players from the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra). In addition, some of my students have been
surgeons, anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, lawyers and even a champion
race car driver.
by Paul Wertico
Assistant Professor and Head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies
To some people, a drummer spends his or her life just hitting things and making a lot of noise. To others,
the drummer invokes images of physical coordination, grace, energy
and rhythm. Others look at a drummer and fantasize about what
extra-musical opportunities and escapades he or she must have experienced.
To the more enlightened, the drummer represents the heart
and soul of any band, its driving force and thus its musical conductor
in many ways. Actually, all of the above scenarios are valid in some
respects, depending on the music and the circumstances.
During my professional career, I’ve been both a performer and an
instructor. I’ve played the drums around the world as a member of the
Pat Metheny Group from 1983 until 2001 and have been fortunate to
receive seven Grammy Awards and several gold records. Currently,
I’m head of Jazz and Contemporary Music Studies in Roosevelt’s
Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) and actively perform
and record with many different artists around the globe. With over
40 years of private teaching experience, I’ve taught a wide variety
of students, ranging from high school and college level players, to
highly successful professionals (Glenn Kotche from the band Wilco,
Jeff Quay from Blue Man Group and even players from the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra). In addition, some of my students have been
surgeons, anesthesiologists, psychiatrists, lawyers and even a champion
race car driver.
