KEN MIDDLER
FLORIDA
Ken Middler studied music theory, percussion performance, and aerospace engineering at the State University of Buffalo under Jan Williams and Anthony Miranda. Prior to that, Ken studied various instruments, such as guitar and baritone. He began to study drums at the age of 14 under Pat Kachefsky and joined the Tonawanda Jazz Big Band. The following year he joined his first professional big band along with Rick James premier bass player, Oscar Alston. While studying music at UB, Ken joined a punk band, "Afraid Of Girls" and met Kofi Wilmot, a jazz artist. He played drums on Kofi's CD, "Slow But Sure" signed by Amherst Records. After college, Ken started the Color Band with Rick James keyboard player, Eric Williams from the Mary Jane Girls Albums. Ken then left for Florida in 1989 and got his first gig on a short tour with Dr. Hook. He met bebop artist, Jet Nero, and performed and studied with him for 3 years. Ken played drums at Calvary Chapel Ft Lauderdale, FL for five years, played 3 Calvary CDs, and began composing the "Soul Journey" CD. Ken then formed Rock/Jazz band "Stratus". On October 1, 2013, Ken's CD "Soul Journey" was signed by Tate Music Group.
Ken's influences: Chick Corea "Return To Forever" & "Electric Band", Pat Metheny, Winton and Branford Marsalis, Buddy Rich, Doc Sevens, Ed Shaughnessy, Frank Zappa Joe's Garage, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Billy Cob Ham, Rush, Neal Peart, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Max Roach, Steve Vai, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Eddie & Alex Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Hendrix, Rick James, Eric Clapton, Paul Schaffer and Anton Fig, Chad Wackerman, Stanley Clark, Herbie Hancock, Yes, Steve Gad, John Pattitucci, Lenny White, Steely Dan-Asia, Charles Mingus, Art Blakey, Randy Bernstien, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Munk, Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck, Sonny rollins, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, The Police, Sting, Stewert Copeland, Guitarist Lee Middler.
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