Biography


Born: April 9, 1945
Steve Gadd, b. Rochester, New York, April 9, 1945. Uncle, a drummer in the army, encouraged him. Drum lessons from age seven; sat in with Dizzy Gillespie at 11. Studied music at Eastman College, Rochester, playing in wind ensemble and concert band, and at nights in a club with Chick Corea, Chuck Mangione, Joe Romano and Frank Pullara.
After college, drafted into army and spent three years in a military band. After the army, gigged and worked with a big band in Rochester. 1972, formed a trio with Tony Levin and Mike Holmes, going to New York with it. The trio fizzled out, but Gadd began to work extensively as a studio musician.
He also played with Corea's first Return to Forever. 1970's and 1980's, toured internationally, recorded with Paul Simon and with Al Di Meola's Electric Rendezvous Band. By the end of the 1970's Gadd was the most in-demand and probably the most imitated drummer in the world.
In Japan transcriptions of his solos were on sale, and all the leading Japanese drummers were sounding like him. Chick Corea commented, “Every drummer wants to play like Gadd because he plays perfect... He has brought orchestral and compositional thinking to the drum kit while at the same time having a great imagination and a great ability to swing.”
In September 2003 Gadd was honored by Zildjian with an American Drummer Achievement Award.
In 2007 Steve Gadd moved from Rochester to Arizona.... 

Steve Gadd Master Series DVD 
In Session, Steve Gadd 
Steve Gadd Up Close 
Zildjian 22" Steve Gadd Cymbal Bag 
Vic Firth PSGWB Steve Gadd Drumsticks Pack 
Vic Firth Steve Gadd Wire Brush 
Vic Firth Signature Series -- Steve Gadd