John Gillick

John Gillick started playing drums professionally at the age of 14. While still in high school, he became the leader of The Impacts, a 12-piece rhythm and blues band. In 1969 Arthur Godfrey brought John out to California for several TV appearances on his College Shows. Afterward, John toured the west coast with the Asian Orchids and also played at Disneyland. Following a stint in the U.S. Army Band, John formed the Little Big Band, which became the house band at the Sheraton Hotel in Palm Springs, CA. Afterperforming one of his solos and receiving two standing ovations, famed band leader, Buddy Rogers, went to the center of the stage and told the audience, “I used to have a pretty good drummer, Gene Krupa, remember him? Well, this young man is even better!” Frank Sinatra heard one of John’s solos with the Little Big Band and brought Harry James in the next evening to lend an ear. Harry immediately hired John to be a featured drummer with his band. He’s also played with numerous other big bands, namely the Tex Benecke Band, Buddy Moreno Orchestra, Russ David Orchestra, and the Gateway City Big Band. In the early 1970's John was introduced to dixieland jazz with the St. Louis Saints, Jean Kittrell and the St. Louis Riverman, the 1926 Jazz Band, the Mason Dixie Line, and the River City Ramblers. Most recently, John has been playing the jazz circuit with the Cornet Chop Suey Jazz Band and is featured in his renditions of Caravan, Found A New Baby/Sing Sing Sing, Bugle Call Rag and Buddy Rich’s West Side Story Medley.