Wally Schnalle (it rhymes) Drummer, Composer, Teacher. Journalist |
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WALLY SCHNALLE has been skirting around the Bay Area jazz scene since he quit his Silicon Valley desk job in order to pursue a career playing drums back in 1984. Since then, the freewheeling percussionist has found himself headlining shows across California as well as landing on the bill for several festivals, including the big one in Monterey. In between concerts, Schnalle’s schedule resembles nothing of his cubicle impaired past life – in fact, it’s pretty much one giant drum-athon, from teaching lessons to his position as editor for DRUM! Magazine. Wally recently released Physics & Magic, a powerful display of modern jazz fusion interspersed with the kind of classic nuances that merit timeless appreciation. Garrett Wheeler, Metro Silicon Valley January 2-8, 2008 |
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| Upcoming Shows Online Lessons Discography Private Instruction Purchase Contact MYSPACE | ||||||
Latest News Sepember 2008 Thanks to the many drummers who came out to the clinic in Santa Cruz last month. For those of you that missed it there a few highlights in the videon to the right. The clinic was about 90 minutes so this youtube excerpt is only about 10% but I hope you enjoy it. On Oct 4th we're doing an exciting double bill with Steve Smith's band. Steve is an awesome drummer and it will be an honor to share the stage with him. Please check Upcoming Shows for details and we'll see you there. July 2008 Hi and thanks for stopping by. After some scheduling delays we are finally starting to record our new CD, "Louder Than Your TV," this month ...YAY! The band is really breathing life into the new material. We'll be previewing the new material next month at The San Jose Jazz Festival and Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz. I'll also be previewing some material from the my solo project, "Juice," at a free masterclass at Kuumbwa as well. I'll be discussing rhythmic topics like odd meters. tuplets, hemiolas, etc as well as performing some of the new music . Click here Kuumbwa for more info. Also, please check Upcoming Shows for details and we'll see you there. May 2008 Thanks to all that came out to the Little Fox show. The band was killin' on the new material so I'm really excited to get to recording which begin in about a month. Please check Upcoming Shows and we'll see you there.
Febuary 2008 Mark your calenders for April 20th. We will be performing the Little Fox Theater in Redwood City, CA. I'm excited about the show because not only will we be performing some of my new material but I also get to play with Jeff Massanari's band and vocalist Wendy Waller at the same show. It promises to be a wonderful triple bill. January 2008 Last year was a great one and I have much to be thankful for. However I am really excited about the future. I am currently putting the finishing touches on a new crop of tunes that I will be debuting in a few months (more on that later.) We will also be recording these for release later this year. Additionaly I am starting work on a book that I've been thinking about for years. So stay tuned and thanks for checking in. October 2007 I will be performing at a drum clinic with the Great Kenny Aronoff in Livermore, CA on Dec 15th. And for those of you in Southern California...the band be will in your area in November. We will be performing at The Baked Potato on November 20th. Check the Upcoming Shows Schedule for more details. August 2007
Thanks to everyone who came out to the CD release at Yoshis and made it such a huge success! I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events. Check "upcoming shows" for more August dates. July 2007 Also all my music is finally available for download at iTunes, Napster, emusic. etc., etc., etc!!!!!! Wally Schnalle Releases
Endorsements
March 2007 Pre-orders are now being accepted for the new CD "Physics & Magic.
Also I've finally got the Online Lessons section of the site going. Check there for PDF files of many of my DRUM! Magazine columns. Also click here...DOWNBEAT. for a PDF of the article on me in the current issue of Downbeat Magazine. Feb 2007 Amazon and other online retailers are now taking advance orders for the new CD, "Physics & Magic." The actual release date is May 22. 2007. Check back for CD release party info in the future. Also check out the March issue of DOWNBEAT magazine for a nice story on me written by Yoshi Kato. On the news stands as well is "How To Play Dums." It's a cool magazine for beginning drummers which includes a DVD. On the DVD I break down proper stick grip info and how to play seven different basic rock songs. Oct 2006 We finally finished sessions for Physics & Magic and it's sounding great. After mixing, artwork and such it should be out first quarter of 2007. I'm also pleased to announce that I've signed an endorsment deal with Pearl Drums. After years of playing Gene D'Amico's fine drums I've decided to make a change. So I just recieved a new set of Pearl's Reference Series drums.
Sept 2006 This month recording sessions for Physics & Magic begin. I'm excited as the band played several gigs last month and the material is really taking shape. Also check out the new TRAPS magazine (it's put out by the same folks that put out DRUM!) I wrote text and musical transcriptions for articles on Max Roach, Steve Gadd and Keith Carlock. There's a lot of other great stuff in it as well. Also last week I did a video shoot for a DVD that will be coming out with another new mag. More on that later. August 2006 Here's a link to o Podcast interview I did in conjunction with The San Jose Jazz Society and Applausecast. July2006 Thanks for checking in. Current news worth sharing is that I'm in rehearsals for my upcoming new CD "PHYSICS & MAGIC ." I'm really excited about the new music and the way the band is playing it. The current lineup is Jeff Massanari on guitar, Charles McNeal on Sax and Jason Muscat on bass. All Monsters! We'll be premiering this new music August 19th at The San Jose Jazz Festival (please check the upcoming shows for more details.) I'll see you at the show.
Observations By Wise And Powerful People
"Lightning fast licks, sleight-of-hand stickwork or pummeling
power displays--Wally Schnalle is capable of doing all those things and more.
What sets him apart from the pack, however, is his unerring musicality, his
ability to make his drums speak in multiple tongues--fluently. Most
importantly, he is committed to musical growth." Nicky Baxter,
"Schnalle grooves with grit and grace…..Schnalle's
quartet is awesome."
"Fierce modern jazz chops.."Adam Budofsky , Modern Drummer "Schnalle is a serious force on drums. He plays with
terrific energy and the kind of controlled abandon needed to propel his
hard-driving compositions."
"Schnalle’s playing is powerfully fluid throughout, while at the same time he provides a gritty focus that grounds some of the spacier electronic moments." Stephan Latessa, AllAboutJazz.com
"One of the few drummers that can drive around all
sides of the beat."
"Schnalle is a powerful drummer who can get in tight
behind a soloist and enhance without getting in the way."
"this is major league jazz played with verve, dedication and a whole lot of talent." Dick Bogle, The Skanner, Seattle/Portland
"That Place is a stylistically diverse work that takes
the listeners far beyond post-bop on 11 original compositions that mark
another major step in the evolution of an artist."
"Sultry and seductive, these percussion based tunes are
sly and tricky."
"There's a palpable chemistry between the musicians in
these sessions that makes for a remarkable listening experience."
Retlaw Records
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