Jeff Tortora
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Born in 1971, in Syracuse, NY. Graduated Solvay High School in 1989. Arguably one of the best drummers out of the Central New York region (he was First Chair All State Jazz his junior year in high school), Jeff's style ranged from rock, to jazz, to pop to death metal. Considered a "hired gun" for his ability to learn essentially any style of music, he filled in for dozens of bands, sometimes with only a few hours' notice. Because of this, he became well known and respected by his peers. Quote: "If I make a couple of bucks, fine, but man, I just wanna play."-Syracuse New Times, July 17, 1996.
[edit] Career
- Played briefly for Joey Belladonna of Anthrax fame in the early 90's, as well as guitar virtuoso Joe Stump (he was also on most of Joe's records as well). He would often play with Dracula Jones, a popular grunge style band in the mid 90's, although he was never an official member. His style of drumming was seen by larger audiences from 1995-1999 playing with "The United Booty Foundation", a Syracuse, NY act that consisted of the best available musicians in the area, performing primarily 1970's disco/funk songs, but with the occasional modern rock and classic rock song thrown in. For most of the rock songs Jeff would take center stage to belt out the tunes and occasionally do backflips if so inspired. In an interesting twist, his childhood friend Kevin Dean (current drummer in Brand New Sin), who was the lighting director for "The United Booty Foundation", would supply the drumming. During a "United Booty Foundation" performance on Thanksgiving 1999, Jeff was spotted by Katherine Gilette, a talent scout for The Blue Man Group, in Syracuse, who was visiting relatives for the holiday. Immediately impressed with his performance, she approached him after the show, getting his contact information. The next day he received word that he would audition in New York City in January for the upcoming Las Vegas production. United Booty Foundation founder JT drove Jeff to the Big Apple where they spent two days and one memorable night where Jeff was slumped over the bed at 4 a.m. JT thought he was either sick or crying but it was Jeff's quiet way of getting a can of cheap beer from the fridge without disturbing JT. The cracking open of the beer can is the stuff of legend. The auditions were a smashing success. Since March 2000 he has been a Blue Man Group member playing with the likes of fellow Blue man drummers Tim Alexander of the band Primus and Blas Elias of the band Slaughter. Jeff has performed on the Blue Man Group CD The Complex, as well as being one of the performers to play on The Tonight Show in support of that album. He is currently on the Blue Man Group Megastar 2.0 tour. He can be seen at The War Memorial in Syracuse on March 21st. Opening acts include John Arch, Joe Lefler and Candlemass. Jeff was one of 12 drummers who were called to audition on April 8th for Korn for their upcoming European tour. He will be flying into Syracuse to perform with "The United Booty Foundation" in the summer of 2007.
[edit] External links
- endorsements-Vic Firth link-http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/artistT1.html]
