Jeff Lisk

Jeff's website

Drummer/ percussionist Jeff Lisk was born in the windy City of Chicago, Illinois, Earth, and began playing piano at age eight and switched to drums at the age of ten. Chicago provided Jeff with much musical inspiration because of its rich culture and diversity. Jeff’s first love was classical music but soon discovered jazz and became a young big band fanatic and huge fan of the Buddy Rich Band, Count Basie, Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Band, Gene Krupa, etc. Not too many years later he became open to various rock styles and cites Ginger Baker as an early influence. Also he took a particular liking to Latin music having found ‘Prez Prado,’ ‘Tito Puente,’ and ‘Cal Tjader’ records in the family collection. This Latin influence would simmer for years and later blossom into Maddrum Soñando, the Latin-Caribbean band Jeff led and founded. Jeff’s influences and mentors were quite diverse while growing up in Chicago. When he was twelve years old, he met drummer Barrett Deems (Louis Armstrong/ Jimmy Dorsey Band) at the Quincy Court Concert series. He became fast friends with Barrett and stayed in touch with him until Barrett’s passing in September 15th, 1998. He was a major influence and inspiration on Jeff.

I also encountered such interesting musicians as bassist Donald Rafael Garrett, who played and recorded with John Coltrane in the sixties. My roommate at the time was jazz trombonist Jesse Stamm, who was friends with Don and through Jesse I got to know him. We both used to ride our bikes around the neighborhood in the near north side and one day on the corner of Southport and Byron Avenue, Don taught me how to play and count an Afro-Cuban 6/8 rhythm on the handlebars of his bike. Jeff also studied downtown at Drums Unlimited with drummer Marshall Thompson, who was a popular Chicago drummer performing with groups led by saxophonist Eddie Harris and pianist Eddie Higgins. Jeff also studied briefly with Roy Knapp at Frank’s Drum Shop and privately with Costa Rican drummer/ percussion Alejo Poveda, and Dede Sampaio from Brazil, as well as Lee Diaz at the Percussion Shop in Evanston, Illinois, and a few private lessons with Mark Walker studying the Brazilian Bossa Nova rhythm.

Jeff participated in his school’s concert band, marching bands, orchestra and jazz bands throughout grade-school and high-school years, first under the direction of Michael Teolis, then in high school, Ed Stark. He also participated in the Horner Park jazz band program under the direction of Don Sadofsky. Don would help Jeff start his professional working career, giving him his first pro gigs in Chicago. Bassist/ composer Steve Hashimoto would also help Jeff get established in the Chicago jobbing scene.

This is where I started learning to adjust my style for a variety of musical situations, which led me into an extensive career of backing up various artists and bands in a vast range of style, in both live and recording situations. I learned in Chicago to be prepared to play anything — if you wanted to work — this included ethnic styles as well. And you had to work brushes. I've played with big bands, orchestras, jazz trios, quartets, funk groups, vocal groups, duos with organists, country bands, bluegrass bands, New Orleans brass-type bands, dance orchestras, blues bands, you name it. To be continued …

Jeff would like to mention these various influences from whom he learned his wealth of information (excuse the long list, please): Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Bernard Purdie, Sam Lay, Willie Bobo, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmerie, Ginger Baker, Bob Marley, Carlton Barrett, Alvin ‘Seeco’ Patterson, Freddie White, Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Ohio Players’ drummer Diamond Williams, Danny Seraphine, Gino Vanelli, Steely Dan, Larrie Londin, James Taylor, Merle Haggard, Muddy Waters, Buddy Miles, Don Ellis Orchestra, Aaron Copland, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Bach, oh well.

Depending on the gig, Jeff usually performs on a five-piece Taye kit, with various vintage Ludwig snare drums, LP ‘Tito Puente’ timbales, Sabian and Paiste cymbals, augmented by various tamborines, cowbells, and two sets of high hats. Also used are Pearl, Yamaha, and Ludwig drumkits. Jeff fires up the groove with Los Cabos 2B (woodtip), or 3A (woodtip).