The Jazz Loft will bring the drums to center stage on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. by welcoming legendary drummer Ronnie Zito, who played, toured, and recorded with Bobby Darin. Zito will face off against Stony Brook alumnus Dr. Darrell Smith in a friendly drum battle at the Drum Summit event.
During the early years of his career, Zito toured with Peggy Lee, drummed for the Woody Herman big band and began to earn a reputation as an elite studio drummer. During the 70’s and 80’s Zito worked with Cher, Roberta Flack, K.T. Sullivan, and Eartha Kitt. He also plays on Broadway and is part of the band for the show Chicago.
“It’s a huge honor to be able to welcome Ronnie Zito to the Jazz Loft,” said Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel. “His contributions to jazz are incredible and his many years with Woody Herman and Bobby Darin are just two highlights of a career that has spanned seven decades.”
In addition to being a bandleader and drummer, Dr. Smith is a highly respected and gifted educator. His current tenure as Director of Jazz Education and Performance at the world-renowned education program at Jazz House Kids has given him a platform to spread his passion for jazz to hundreds of talented young musicians around the city.
Zito and Smith will be joined by a section featuring Mike Hall on bass, Rich Iacona on piano, Steve Salerno on guitar, Eric Kay on tenor saxophone, and Tom Manuel on cornet.
Ticket prices are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children and free for children five and under. The ticket includes entrance to the Jazz Loft museum where several period drum sets from the 1920s-1960s will be on display. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.thejazzloft.org/tickets
The Jazz Loft is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, education and performance of the American born art form of jazz through the art of collaboration, located at 275 Christian Avenue, Stony Brook.
