A Little About Me
by Craig Barnette
I started drums "formally" at the age of 12. That's when Mom threatened bodily harm if I didn't enroll in the school band. As much as I hated the thought of it, I had no choice as I was quite familiar with the consequences of tangling with Mom and her wooden spoon! So I started beginning band in 7th grade. The first day we had to write down a first and second choice for instruments to play. My first choice was drums, and my second choice.......flute. Fortunately for me I got my first choice.
Music was in me from the beginning though. I remember listening to my parents' different LP records when I was as young as 5. Beethoven, Bee Gees, Dave Brubeck, Michael Jackson. We had them all. I used to dump out all of my Lincoln Logs and building blocks and turn their containers upside down and play them like drums using the two longest Lincoln Logs as drumsticks. I'm sure I wasn't the slightest bit annoying...
By the time high school rolled around, I had been thoroughly bitten by the "drum bug," and enrolled in as many band classes as I could. I studied snare drum and percussion with Keith Aleo, percussionist with the Florida Philharmonic (currently working as the Director of Concert and Orchestral Percussion for the Avedis Zildjian Company). I was very active in F.B.A. Solo and Ensemble competitions at both the district and state levels. I was a member of the South Florida Youth Symphony, and in May of 1993 was honored to perform with them at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City. Like many young drummers it was during these years that I discovered the band Rush and the incredible drumming of Neil Peart. He was probably my first major influence.
I moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1993 to continue my pursuit of music at the University of North Florida. I studied drumset with Steve Silverstein, and percussion with Charlotte Mabrey, principal percussionist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. It was an amazing 4 years that had a HUGE impact on my playing. Instead of banging out renditions of "YYZ" and "Tom Sawyer," I was now transcribing the likes of Jack De Johnette, Art Blakey, and Elvin Jones. During my stay at UNF I was honored to perform with Joe Lovano, Buddy DeFranco, Arturo Sandoval, and Bunky Green among others. In the summer of 1997, I performed with the UNF Jazz Ensemble at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies I moved to Orlando, FL where I performed at Universal Studios and Walt Disney World with various bands. 1998 found me back in Jacksonville performing with bands locally and regionally. I began teaching privately at this time and since have held a steady roster of anywhere from 5-15 beginning to advanced students of all ages. In 2000 I became a regular member of the St. Johns River City Band, performing with their big band and small jazz ensembles around the state.
In the Spring of 2002, I joined up with Mofro and got my first taste of national touring. Over the next 18 months we shared the stage with some great bands such as Robert Walter's 20th Congress, Galactic, Widespread Panic, Derek Trucks Band, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Ben Harper, Jeff Beck, and the legendary BB King.
I am currently keeping busy playing around the Jacksonville area with several bands performing everything from jazz and latin to R&B and rock. I also tour and record with Donavon Frankenreiter. When I'm not touring I also perform in my church's worship and praise band.
My musical tastes are about as broad as can be. I grew up like many kids listening to the pop/rock music of the time (I am definitely a part of the "MTV Generation"). However, that stuff gave way to jazz during my college years. Classical music has always been there in the mix as well. These days I listen to everything and anything. Jazz, soul, rock, metal, latin, world, pop, hip-hop, techno, blues, folk... they are all in my collection. I have found that allowing myself to be open to so many different genres has really helped me in becoming a musical "chameleon" of sorts. More importantly, the different styles can cross-pollinate so-to-speak within my playing if I want them to. It is a practice that I feel is invaluable as a musician and something I do my best to instill in my students.
I must say I am very blessed to have the friends and family whom allow me to pursue my musical "dreams" and earn a living in the process.
Peace.
Craig