I was an athlete coming up in my youth. When I discovered the drums, that all changed. There was a time that I knew what I was destined to do for my career. In 1977, I attended Berklee College of Music. I had an amazing opportunity to play and record with some of the worlds best musicians. After leaving Berklee I traveled throughout the US and abroad playing full time .in 1987 I recorded a solo release "388 Marlborough Street" and featured the late Victor Bailey, Kevin Eubanks, and Dean Brown amongst other great musicians. In 1989 I relocated to Los Angeles. While performing as a solo artist, I also did some great sideman work, and toured as well as recorded with Tony Guererro and Gregg Karukus along with many other bands and artist in the LA area. I live in Key West, Florida and make my living playing. I love playing music as long as it is good music. I give 150% every time I play. Its what I do...
Lee Venters
Independent
Lee
Venters
IN 3
-
Most memorable Next-Level Performance
Playing the second set for the great Tommy Campbell with the Kevin Eubanks Band at age 20.. giant shoes to fill.This was at Poohs Pub Boston.1978 a packed house.Tommy was on tour with Dizzy Gillespie and had to catch a flight and asked me to fill in for the 2nd set. This music was extremely challenging to play. But I nailed it. More recent would have to be 1995-1996 with Aquarium Rescue Unit... definately some of my best playing... Jazz performances... Mary Lou Knutsen a jazz artist... I played one night in 2015 at Thalian Hall Wilmington NC some of my best jazz playing ever...European dates with Popa Chubby European Tour circa 2017 were highlights as well -
What Drives Your Creativity?
The older I get, the more I require more of a challenge. I live to play music that I'm not familiar with. In order to be a good latin drummer, you have to learn that language. I feel music differently than most other drummers. I think its because being a multi-instrumentalist I hear music first .... My drumming adds to the composition.. -
Why do you choose Vic Firth?
Vic Firth is the best. I've been and artist since 1989. At that period. Vic was offering a very limited line of sticks and mallets. Vic and I got to got to know each other personally over the years and .I loved his passion, his care and his desire to fulfill the requests of his artists, its know reason that most of my favorite drummers play the best...thats why I play only the best...
BEHIND THE KIT
