Billy Coakley (in clinic at stebal drums)
“Let's Make a Joyful Noise.”
That is the phrase that best describes Billy Coakley's attitude toward
creating and sharing his love for drumming. As he puts it, “When you are
blessed to do the things that bring you great joy, your hope is that the
listener will also experience that same joy.” This is the fuel that has
fired Billy's drumming for 27 years.
Billy Coakley is a Cleveland based drummer who was born in New York City
in 1961. He moved to Cleveland in 1969. It was after moving to Cleveland
while in the third grade he had a life changing encounter with the
drums. He shares that he was watching an episode of Batman in which
Robin was wearing a wig and playing a drum solo when he found his
calling as a drummer.
His early years were spent in private lessons and also playing in the
high school band. After high school Billy went to study music at Potomac
State College in Keyser, West Virginia. He then studied at the Berklee
College of Music in Boston Massachusetts where he performed in the Jazz
band orchestra and percussion ensembles. Along this journey Billy has
participated in master classes and studied with Billy Hart, Tommy
Campbell, Louie Bellson, Skip Hadden and his long time early teacher
Dave Brewer. All these individuals and experiences have been
instrumental in helping Billy become one of he most inspiring drummers
anywhere. Billy's professional career as a performer and an educator got
started in the early 80's playing in a variety of jazz, rock and raggae
bands. His 10 years with the reggae band SATTA from 1985 to 1995 were
some of the most exciting with the release of 5 records and nonstop
touring through the U.S., Europe and Asia. As well as appearing in an
NBC Movie of the Week the KEYS which aired in Spring of 1992.
However not one to sit idle, Billy is currently in one of Cleveland's
hottest blues and rock power trios the Armstrong Bearcat Band which
along with nonstop club dates and festivals has shared the stage with
the Allman Brothers, George Thoroughgood and the Destroyers, Little
Feet, Johnny Winter, Blue Oyster Cult, Southside Johnny, Robin Trower,
Tower of Power and others. Billy who is a committed Christian is also a
member of the music ministry at his home church. As well, Billy is
teaching, doing solo performances, drum clinics, "Around the world with
Drums" a performance for young people and a whole host of other musical
projects.
Wether playing in front of 3000 people at a concert hall or 20 people in
a youth group assembly, Billy's powerful and inspiring drumming is a
shining example of discipline, hard work and a desire to share his gift
for drumming with others.
Dave Brewer (leading the masses at Big Beat 2008)
is
the director of Creative Drumming educational programs. He was recently
a featured instructor at the 2008 International Drum Fantasy Camp as
well as a featured instructor at BigBeat 2008. Creative Drumming
presents interactive educational programs at leading music stores
including Sam Ash and Guitar Center, specialty drum shops, book stores,
community festivals, outreach programs which include public libraries
and monthly drum circles. The interactive Creative Drumming program is
available year-round for both private and group instruction.
Dave's a former New York studio musician/clinician with over 30 years
of professional teaching experience. Performance and recording credits
include the First Moog Quartet album, Carnegie Hall and Boston Pops
concerts and nationwide tour, The Soul Set, The SeaWorld Showband,
Ameritech Chorus Band, his own jazz and percussion groups, and a
circus band.
During military service he attended The Naval School of Music and played
in the 389th Army Band. He studied in New York with Jim Chapin, Ted Reed
and Ed Shaughnessy. Dave also served on the advisory committee at the
Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University. Dave is a local and
regional judge for the annual Guitar Center Drum-Off National
Competition.
Current and former students participate in a variety of musical
activities and many have received scholarships and gone on to perform
with major music stars.
