About Brad Nemcek:
Brad has been an active professional musician in the area since his early teens, having roots from a family of musicians, including his Grandfather, Uncles, Brother and Cousins. Inspired by his family, Brad began taking drum lessons in school when he was 10 years old with Dan Buckley and private lessons with highly respected area teachers Russ Black, his idol Ernest Cavallaro, and later with Tony Monforte.
Brad furthered his music education and graduated from Binghamton University where he received his Bachelor of Music degree. His principal college percussion study was with acclaimed percussionists/instructors Rick Compton, a graduate of the Ithaca College School of Music, and Joe Roma, a graduate of SUNY Binghamton. Also with the guidance and expertise of mallet artist Kent Oldfield, a graduate of the Ithaca College School of Music. Upon receiving his Bachelor’s degree in music, Brad started his own percussion studio where he has taught for over 37 years. Brad is one of the longest established percussion teachers in the area. He shares with his students a combined wealth of experience, talents and training. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers in drumming. Mr. Nemcek also serves the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) as a certified All-State Percussion Adjudicator. Brad has performed in concert with world renowned jazz artists Marian McPartland; Slam Stewart; saxophonist/composer/arranger Manny Albam, jazz piano master Joe Albany, whose turbulent life was the basis for the movie “Low Down” and saxophonist Dickey Myers. He also performed in shows with legendary screen star Dorothy Lamour (of Bob Hope “Road Pictures fame”) and with comedians Pat Cooper, and Morey Amsterdam. Brad’s versatile style and artistry have been showcased in a variety of jazz, big band, rock, commercial, ethnic and symphonic ensembles. He has toured the East Coast Lounge Circuit from Pennsylvania to Florida, and has backed shows in the Catskill Resorts. His resume includes performances with Music Unlimited and Blue Velvet Big Bands, the Jazz Exchange, the Rhythm Katz, the Scott Freeman Band, the Doug Beardsley Trio, Ithaca artists Cookie Coogan & Dennis Winge, the Southern Tier Concert Band, the Summer Savoyards, the Down Town Singers, the Shrine Circus, and many symphonic church performances and musicals to name a few. He can be heard locally with the Mason Warrington Orchestra, Los Vega, Basin Street Dixieland Band, Music Unlimited, and Al Hamme's Swing Street Jazztet. Los Vega, a mainstay for regional weddings, parties, & nightclubs have entertained audiences at the Turning Stone Casino, Catskill Resorts, and many large festivals and events including the New York State Fair. They have shared the stage with headliners Pat Cooper, Jerry Vale, Don Cornell, and Al Martino. |