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While teaching his Drumset Master Class at MUSIC TECH, Minneapolis-based musician Gordy Knudtson was explaining the "basic building blocks of drumming" to the students. The lesson defined Gordy's approach to both his music and his life. "Everyone wants to run before they can walk, " he cautioned. "You must build from the ground up... learn the move, master the technique, then apply your creativity to it." Whether he's rocking with the Steve Miller Band, swinging behind jazz organist Cap'n Jack MacDuff, cutting commercial music or album tracks in the studio, or sharing his knowledge at high school and college jazz festivals, Gordy is all about building on what's come before. Beginning his professional career at age 17, he spent the first 10 years doing every local Rock, Funk, Blues, Pop, Country, Jazz, Big Band, Show, and Studio gig that came his way. Then, in 1981, he was called to tour with the late blues guitar legend Roy Buchanan. From 1982-94 he backed jazz pianist/vocalist Ben Sidran, touring clubs, concerts and jazz festivals throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. (He also played on three of Ben's CD's Cool Paradise, Too Hot to Touch and On the Live Side.) In 1987, Gordy joined The Steve Miller Band. "It's a dream gig!" Gordy says, "Steve is one of the greatest voices in Rock 'n Roll AND a wonderful guy to work for! Thanks to his Greatest Hits CD, his good business sense, and the simple fact that he truly loves performing, we've toured every year since I joined the band and the crowds keep growing. It's amazing! I'm a very lucky guy!" (Gordy performed on Steve's Born 2B Blue, Wide River, and Box Set CDs.) Over the years, Gordy's ability to adapt to different musical settings quickly and easily has also allowed him the opportunity to perform with Dave Brubeck, Ernie Watts, Geoff Keezer, Phil Woods, Eddie Harris, Manfredo Fest, Kevin Mahogany, Diane Schuur, Keith Jarrett, Bobby Shew, James Williams, Richie Cole, Peter Leitch, Chuck Berry, and many others. As a studio musician, Gordy's worked with record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Tommy LiPuma, Ricky Peterson, and David Z, backing major label artists such as Patty Austin, Leo Kottke, Sergio Mendes, Alexander O'Neal, Cheryl Lynn, and Jevetta Steele. Gordy has also played on literally hundreds of commercial music sessions (jingles, TV and radio station ID's, industrial film scores, etc.) and many independent label CD's. Because of his diverse professional career, as well as his belief in sharing knowledge through teaching, Gordy was chosen to create and head the Percussion Department at MUSIC TECH, a school for contemporary music and recording arts located in downtown Minneapolis. Here he passes along a common sense curriculum based on the philosophy that to succeed at, and sustain a career in this business you must have the skills and versatility to successfully meet the challenges of each opportunity that comes your way. Whether teaching a master class, clinic, or a private lesson-, playing clubs, arenas, amphitheaters, stadiums, or recording studios; Gordy's versatility and dedication to self improvement - his ability to "learn the move, master the technique and apply it creatively" continues to allow him to pursue, explore, and discover new things about what he loves best: playing the drums, making good music, and helping others to learn and grow. |
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Gordy Knudtson Bio