dale wilson

drums, percussions

Hello, I was born on November 9th, 1965.  I started playing drums at age 8.  I didn't take my first drum lesson until I was 13 when I started studying with Vic Matesi. From then on there was a lot of practicing. 

I got my first real gig ( you know the kind that you get paid for) when I joined a wedding band at age 15 . I did that for 3 years. Between 18 and 22.  I played the usual rock/pop stuff. I studied at the Bloom School of Jazz for about 6 months. 

In 1986 I went to see Jean Luc-Ponty at Ravinia and saw Rayford Griffen on drums, I was amazed. Up until then my favorite players were Neil Peart, John Bonahm, Phil Ehart etc....  I had never heard or seen a player of that caliber before.

In 1987 I went off to Musician's Institute (P. I. T.)  In LA,  And Studied with some of the greatest players in the world. After graduation I Came back to Chicago and joined a pop band called Changes stayed with them about a year, started studying with local Drum teachers Phil Stanger and Mark Walker (who is currently with Michel Camilo). Since 1990 I've played and recorded music from Jazz to metal to gospel. Currently I am playing with the Jazz/Fusion Band Double Forte which I CO-founded with Guitarist Eddie Kim.

Some of my influences are Dave Weckl, Vinnie Coliauta, Steve Smith, Dennis Chambers, Buddy Rich, Jeff Porcaro and many more.

Gear: Dale uses Yamaha Drums with Zildjian cymbals, Roland V-Drums.