Artist Profile:
One fantastic drummer – Oscar Seaton has played with George Benson, Lee Riteneour, David Garfield, and many many more luminaries.
Oscar Seaton has been playing drums since he was five years old.
Growing up in Chicago, Oscar’s musical influences included rock, pop, funk, soul and jazz. Oscar has toured with Boz Scaggs and Lionel Ritchie. He is an in demand session and live player in whatever town he’s in. 
.
Artist Profile:
Imagine the phone rings and you’re asked to tour with one of most highly regarded musicians in the business-so far so good, but did I mention there are no charts and no rehearsals oh, and do you really want to know who his previous drummers were?
Isn’t it strange how some artists always seem to attract amazing drummers? Take Frank Zappa for instance, after Terry Bozzio left he was replaced by Vinnie Colaiuta, then Chad Wackerman. Then there’s Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl and Gary Novak with Chick Corea, or how about Sting and Omar Hakim, Vinnie and Manu Katche. Being offered the opportunity to follow drummers of that caliber into any gig says a lot about the esteem with which you’re held, but following the long line of incredible drummers who include Vinnie, Gary Novak, Chad Wackerman and Gary Husband into Allan Holdsworth’s band must still seem an intimidating experience, especially with Allan’s frightening arrangements, seat of the pants improvisation and music running the gamut of styles from straight ahead jazz to funk to rock.
Fear not however, new boy Joel Taylor is already proving to be a force to be reckoned with, easily holding his own amongst his predecessors. His playing with jazz/fusion guitarists Frank Gambale and Jeff Richman has obviously stood him in good stead for his new gig, which very few players would have the ability to make their own in such a short space of time. In fact it was Joel’s playing on Jeff Richman’s ‘Last Arrival’ album that first drew peoples attention, with his compressed Wecklesque sound and Vinnie inspired chops and fluidity. Now he seems to be becoming the drummer of choice for more and more top musicians. Rhythm managed to catch up with Joel during the Allan Holdsworth trio’s recent weeklong stint at London’s Ronnie Scott’s.
Touring (U.S.A & International)
David Foster- Awards Shows & Live Benefits (various) Jeffrey Osborne U.S Frank Gambale- So. Am. House Drummer – Smooth Jazz Awards, 2001, Chicago Allan Holdsworth – U.S / Europe / Japan Damian’s Fire – PBS TV Special (Romania) Brandon Fields – U.S / Costa Rica, Jeff Lorber (U.S) Eric Marienthal – U.S/Germany, Andy Summers – Europe/Panama/U.S Voices of Classic Rock featuring Bobby Kimball / Edgar Winter / Micky Thomas Berklee College Allstars featuring Larry Monroe (Japan),
1998: Yanni – World Tour Ernie Watts / Nico Assumpcao (Brazil), Freeflight (U.S), Eric Marienthal – US / Europe
1997: Yanni – World Tour, Jeff Lorber (U.S), Brian Bromberg (U.S), Eric Marienthal (U.S)
1990 -’96 Bobby Caldwell – World Tour Herb Alpert – U.S / Europe, Allan Holdsworth (U.S), Diane Schuur (U.S) Ernie Watts / Rique Pantoja – Brazil/Japan, Rippingtons – World Tour Jeff Lorber – U.S / Europe, Eric Marienthal – U.S / E urope Brian Bromberg-U.S /J apan / Europe Jeff Richman / Peter Wolf – U.S / Japan / Europe, Mitch Forman / Mike Miller – Japan Brandon Fields (U.S), Wilton Felder / Rob Mullins (Japan), Free Flight (U.S) Cecilia Noel & Wild Clams (Germany / U.S), Gregg Karukas (U.S) Birelli Lagrene (U.S), Steve Bailey / Rique Pantoja (South Pacific) Subramaniam – Southeast Asia / India, Kilauea (U.S), Kenia – U.S./.Japan./.Mexico Kevyn Letteau (Japan), Pauline Wilson (Japan), Tiger Okoshi (Japan) Makoto Ozone / Kimiko Ito (Japan)
RECORDING Album Credits
Mitchell Forman – Mr. Clean (’01), Allan Holdswoth – Live @ The Galaxy Theatre (’01) Damian’s Fire – Live In Romania (’01), Brandon Fields – Currently Recording- (’01-’02) Andy Summers – Peggy’s Blue Skylight (‘00), Mitchell Forman – Patience (‘00), Mickey Thomas – Currently recording (‘00), Frank Gambale – Coming To Your Senses ( ‘00), Eikichi Yazawa – Whole Lotta Good Time (‘00), Bobby Kimball – Two Souls (’99) Jeff Richman – Sand Dance (‘98), Sonny Southon – All The Colors (‘98), Brian Bromberg – You Know That Feeling (‘98) / Brian Bromberg (‘93), Yanni – Tribute (‘97), Gina Kronstadt – Walk My Way ‘97, Herb Alpert – Second Wind (‘96), Jeff Richman – Last Arrival (‘96), Tom Saviano – Making Up Lost Time (‘96), Bob Boykin – Hazardous Material (‘96), Free Flight – “2000” (‘96), Yasuko Agawa (‘96), Mike Lang – Days of Wine & Roses (‘95), Rique Pantoja – Live in LA, Bill Cunliffe – Paul Simon Songbook (‘93), Laima – GRP (’93), Brian Bromberg – Bassically Speaking ‘90 / Basses Loaded (‘88), Gregg Karukas – Home For The Holidays (‘93), Joe Sample – Passion Motion (‘92) (single), Steve Bailey – Dichotomy (‘92), Sal Marquez – One For Dewey (‘92), Kilauea – Tropical Pleasures (‘92), Mischa Seagal – GRP (‘91), Kenia – What You’re Looking For (‘90), Rob Mullins – Tokyo Night s (‘90) / Jazz Jazz (‘89), Justo Almario – Family Times (‘89)
Jingles
Coke, Diet Coke, Toyota, Sony, Pacific Bell, IBM, Macintosh, Ford, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Mobil Link, Kent, Caster, Wrigleys, Wesson Oil, Nestle Television
Mike & Matty Show, Byron Allen Show, High Society, Japanese TV Themes (various), Sony Playstation Soundtracks
‘99: Movies: For composers incl. Phil Giffifin, Peter Wolf, Anthony Marinelli, Mike Garson, Mike Tavera, Daisuke & Toshi Hinata.
Artist Profile:
Anyone who has ever had the privilege of hearing Rayford Griffin cut loose in one of his notorious drum solos knows they are hearing state of the art percussion. But they soon discover something even more extraordinary. These are more than talking drums; they’re singing. You would swear you hear a verse, a chorus, certainly there is a melody – because you follow it note for note right up to the orgasmic bridge. And here you thought you hated drum solos!
Stanley Clarke in JAZZIZ says, “I could talk forever about drummers. They’re my favorite musicians, because a drummer can really make or break a band. And I’ve played with so many different drummers… Lenny White… Billy Cobham… Steve Gadd… Tony Williams… Omar Hakim. Out of all the young drummers, Rayford Griffi
n is probably the best.”
Rayford has toured with Michael Jackson, Anita Baker, the Isley Brothers, Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bette Midler, Babyface, George Duke, Jeff Lorber, George Howard, Manhattan Transfer, Kenny G., Rick Braun, Angela Winbush, Cameo, DeBarge, and the list goes on…
Playing with Rayford on this show recorded at La Ve Lee are Reggie Hamilton on bass, guitar, Nick Smith on keyboards, Bennie Maupin on sax, Richard Grant on trumpet, Dwight Sills on guitar, and Munyungo Jackson on percussion.
Artist Profile:
Born and raised in Chicago, Gary Novak was practically born with drum sticks in hand. Coming from parents of great musical talent, it is no wonder that Gary began playing the piano at the tender age of 8.
While most musicians find their musical inspiration outside the home, Novak’s influence came from his parents. His mother, Carol Novak, also a pianist, played with her trio at the London House. His father, Larry Novak, the famous Chicago pianist, not only encouraged the career of his son but also put him to work. From the age of 10 to 12, Novak would work with his father’s trio in all the Chicago clubs, including Mr. Kelly’s, gaining the insight and experience that would lead to several musical milestones obtained at a very young age.
During high school, Novak worked with the jazz clarinet master Buddy Defranco as well as such notables as Joe Williams, Milt Hinton, Kenny Burrell, Barney Kessel and the great Louis Bellson.
Novak’s blossoming reputation lead to the opportunity to represent Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals through endorsements at the age of 17. At 19 years old, Novak moved to Los Angeles – an important step forward for Novak bringing many opportunities most could only dream of getting. Not only did Los Angeles bring him his first road job with Maynard Ferguson, but it marked a year of great exposure. Novak would come to work with Brandon Fields and record on his latest LP.
He worked with such musical greats as Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, David Sanborn and Anita Baker. 
He teamed up with guitarist Lee Ritenour who employed him for his solo tour and the GRP All-Star tour in 1991.
Novak continued to tour throughout ’92, but this time with George Benson. Although Novak has been working the greater part of his life, he is not about to slow down now. At 28, he is joining Chick Corea’s newest band and after having left it he kept on touring with many other great musician as Bob Berg,, Allan Holdsworth, etc. In 1998 he joined Canadian pop star Alanis Morissette Band with whom he recorded and toured worldwide for more than one year. One must wonder what will be left for Gary Novak to do having accomplished so much in such little time.
Gary has performed with: Bob Berg, Chick Corea, Alanis Morissette, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Tavaglione, George Benson, Chris Chaney, Taylor Hawkins, Lee Ritenour, Allan Holdsworth, Robben Ford, Steven Mike, David Sanborn, Brandon Fields, Chaka Khan, Jimmy Earl, Dave Weckl, Phil Sheeran, Tom Fowler, Larry Steen, Solar Wind, Eric Marienthal, John Patitucci, Bernie Kirsh, Pat Kelley, Jeff Beal, Chris Chaney, Nick Lashley, Joel Shearer, Ron Moss, Gary Herbig, Cassio Duarte, Michael Wolff, Maynard Ferguson, Frank Gambale, …..and many more.