- Charlie Zeleny
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Charlie Zeleny Birth name Charles Thomas Zeleny Also known as Charlie Z Born September 18, 1981 Origin New Jersey, USA Genres Progressive rock, progressive metal, jazz fusion, pop, rock, jazz, hip hop Occupations Musician, drummer Instruments Drums Years active 1996–present Associated acts Jordan Rudess, Terry Bozzio, Joe Lynn Turner, Behold... The Arctopus, Blotted Science, Suspyre, The Great Kat, Kristin Chenoweth, XV (rapper), Rock of Ages Website charliezeleny.com Charlie Zeleny is a New York City session drummer, music director, producer, and band leader most popular for his work playing duo with Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater and his drum duet work with Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel. He has toured 39 US states, 19 countries and is on 60+ album releases and was an original member of virtuoso progressive metal bands Blotted Science and Behold the Arctopus.
Contents
Early life
Charlie Z originally hails from Northern New Jersey. Born September 18, 1981 Charlie first entered the world of drumming through grammar school concert band when he was just 8 years old.[1] After taking jazz band and countless music courses in middle & high school, Charlie graduated and moved on to Drew University, where he naturally studied music. In addition to his normal studies, Charlie was the founder and head of Drew's jazz music department for 3 years of his higher education. During his time in college, Charlie had the privilege to study under Tommy Igoe, Nick Scheuble and Joe Bergamini before being accepted to graduate school for jazz drumset performance at New York University. He did not attend but instead decided to become a professional musician.[2]
Professional Music Career
Since becoming involved in the music scene, Charlie Zeleny has toured 39 US states, and in 19 countries while working with countless musicians in numerous projects, many within a large variety of musical styles.[3] Unsatisfied to be contained in one genre of music, Charlie has learned to play a variety of styles including pop, rock, jazz, fusion, progressive metal, hip hop, funk and R&B.[4]
In playing with such versatility, Charlie has been able to perform with such acts as Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess, as well as classical violin & guitarist The Great Kat.[1] In addition, he has performed double drums with master drummer Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel.[3] He also plays for Deep Purple and Rainbow (band)'s lead singer Joe Lynn Turner, Broadway & Glee Country Pop Star Kristin Chenoweth and has opened for such acts as Bowling for Soup, The Blue Oyster Cult, Akon, Between the Buried and Me, and Bon Jovi in Puerto Rico.[5]
Besides his work as a session drummer, Charlie was an original member of the group Behold...The Arctopus as well as internationally acclaimed band Blotted Science, featuring Ron Jarzombek of Spastic Ink and Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse.[5]
Current Musical Projects
In one of his most current projects, Charlie not only drums for, but is also the bandleader and music director for Cracked Latin: a large group, NYC-based Latin Band, featuring such musicians[6] as:
- Bashiri Johnson on Percussion (Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston)
- Gerardo Velez on Percussion (Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder)
- Richie Cannata on Sax (Billy Joel, Celine Dion)
- Brad Mason on Trumpet (John Mayer, Alicia Keys)
- Fred Maxwell on Trumpet (Rolling Stones, The Police)
- Clark Gayton on Trombone (Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles)
- Ryan Kemberle on Trombone (Rihanna, Mariah Carey)
- Richie Goods on Bass (Christina Aguilera, Herbie Hancock)
- Everett Bradley on Vocals (Hall & Oates, Bon Jovi)
- Mike Harvey on Vocals (Seal, Sting)
- Oz Noy on Guitar (Toni Braxton, Chris Botti)
- Matt Beck on Guitar (Rob Thomas, Rod Stewart)
- Mark Soskin on Keys (Sonny Rollins, Billy Cobham)
Other credits
In his non-studio career, Charlie has been seen and heard on MTV, VH1, E!, XM & Sirius Satellite Radio, Oxygen TV, The View, AOL Sessions, The CBS Morning Show, WPIX, NFL Network, on Tone Maker DJ Ringtone Creator featuring Method Man and Ceelo Green and on various major label projects on Sony Music and Warner Bros. Records like hiphop artist XV (rapper). In live performances, he as played such venues as Irving Plaza,[7] Lincoln Center,[8] Iridium Jazz Club, and a New York Jets half time show with the Broadway act Rock of Ages at New Meadowlands Stadium (formerly Giants Stadium) for 82,500 fans. He has also played The Bowery Ballroom, Six Flags Mainstage, Avatar Recording Studios, Sony Music Studios, Highline Ballroom, Cove City Sound Studios, BB Kings Jazz & Blues Club and The Knitting Factory NYC & LA among many others. He's performed at and has been a featured artist at endorser signings at the NAMM Show in California[1] and has played radio station Z100's Zootopia Concert at the Izod Arena. Charlie Z is featured as a member of the Sick Drummer Magazine "Hall of Fame" and also in Blender Magazine as "One of the Best Drummers Of All Time".[9]
As of September, 26th 2011, Charlie's official YouTube page has over 1,600 subscribers, 36,000+ channel views and has received 844,000 plus total views since being established, offering live performances as well as drum training videos for those willing to learn.[3]
Gear
Charlie Z is an endorser of Sonor drums, Paiste cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vic Firth sticks, Rhythm Tech percussion, Protection Racket bags, Audix drum mics, Hansenfutz practice pedals, Onboard Research Beatnik practice pads, Duallist pedals, Presonus preamps, DRM EARZ in-ear monitors & Ddrum triggers.
- Drums: Sonor Delite Drums: Birdeye Azure Finish
- 22" x 17.5" Kick Drum
- 8" x 7" Tom
- 10" x 8" Tom
- 12" x 9" Tom
- 14" x 14" Floor Tom
- 16" x 16" Floor Tom
- 14" x 12" Left Side Floor Tom
- 12" x 5" Aux Snare
- 14" x 5" Main Snare: Artist Series Steel Black
- 6" Rototom
- 8" Rototom
- 10" Rototom
- Cymbals: Paiste[10]
- 18" Paiste Rude China
- 20" Paiste Dark Energy Dark Dry Ride
- 10" Paiste Rude Splash on top of:
- 10" Paiste PST Splash Hihat
- 16" Paiste Dark Energy Crash
- 8" Paiste Signature Splash
- 6" Paiste Accent Bell on top of:
- 18" Paiste Twenty Thin Crash
- 13" Paiste Signature Dark Crisp Hihats
- 10" Paiste Signature Splash
- 17" Paiste Signature Reflector Crash
- 13" Paiste Signature Mega Cup Chime
- 6" Paiste 2002 Cup Chime on top of:
- 12"/14"/14" Paiste Noiseworks Tripple Raw Smash
- 12" Paiste Signature Flanger Bell
- 19" Paiste Signature Reflector Crash
- 8" Paiste Twenty Splash on top of:
- 17" Paiste Twenty Thin Crash
- 18" Paiste Dark Energy Crash
- 22" Paiste Signature Dark Metal Ride
- 21" Paiste Dark Energy Light Dark Ride
- 18" Paiste Signature Reflector China
- 14" Paiste Signature Soundedge Hihats
- 20" Paiste Twenty China
- Pedals: DW 5000AD3s, Sonor Giant Step & Duallist Pedals
- Plastic side of beater for more attack and volume
Discography
CDs:[1]
- Behold the Arctopus “Skullgrid” 2007 Black Market Activies/Metal Blade Records
- Blotted Science “Machinations of Dementia” 2007 Eclectic Electric
- Shannon Corey “Unsaid” 2007 Motherwest Records
- Behold the Arctopus “Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning+” 2006 BMA/Metal Blade
- Behold the Arctopus “Orthrealm Split” 2005 Troubleman Unlimited
- Behold the Arctopus “Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning” 2005 Troubleman
- Thing One “Miles from the Road” 2005 Rhythm Method Records
- Ken Rubenstein “Invert and Transcend” 2005 Inverted Music
- Steve Salerno Jazz Quartet “self-titled” 2004 Steve Salerno Jazz
- Jay Hansen “Within this Process of Adaptation” Anonymously Known Records 2004
- Behold the Arctopus “Alcoholocaust Now…Warmaggedeon Later” 2004 Epicine Sound
- Kayo Dot “Blue Lambency Downward” 2008 Hydrahead Records
- Suspyre "When Time Fades..." 2008 Sensory Records
Videos:[1]
- Jordan Rudess/Charlie Zeleny Duo Roland Sound Spark Live 2007
- Jordan Rudess/Charlie Zeleny Duo Roland Factory Promo Video 2007
- Telling on Trixie “Halfway Back to Sane” Music Video 2007
- Shannon Corey Canal Room CD Release Party for “Unsaid” 2007
- Behold the Arctopus Live at the Hi-Tone: Memphis TN; SLAP! Productions 2007
- Jordan Rudess Online Conservatory Drum Instruction Series “Basic Core Course” 2006[13]
- Jordan Rudess Online Conservatory “Extreme Drum Solo Mastery Satellite Course” 2008[13]
References
- ^ a b c d e SickDrummer Interview
- ^ Blabbermouth
- ^ a b c Charlie Zeleny Official YouTube Channel
- ^ CharlieZeleny.com
- ^ a b Sick Drummer Magazine Article
- ^ Cracked Latin Official Website
- ^ Irving Plaza Official Website
- ^ Lucie Awards Official Site
- ^ Blender Magazine Message Board Post
- ^ Charlie Z at Paiste Cymbals
- ^ Charlie Z at Evans Drumheads
- ^ Charlie Z at Vic Firth Sticks
- ^ a b Jordan Rudess Online Conservatory
Categories:- American drummers
- American session musicians
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