This podcast features Ray Marchica. He is a graduate of Brooklyn College, where he studied percussion with Morris Lang of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Performance.

He’s been an in-demand player in New York for more than 25 years, appearing on countless sessions, Broadway productions, and TV shows. One of the most diverse freelance drummers in New York City, Marchica is a longstanding member of The Ed Palermo Big Band, which specializes in the music of Frank Zappa, a challenging gig that demands the most highly skilled of drummers (Terry Bozzio, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Chad Wackerman filled the drum chair during Zappa’s heyday). He is also a member of The Mike Longo New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble, The Russ Kassoff Big Band, The Gary Morgan Pan Americana Big Band. He also plays regularly with The Birdland Big Band.

As the drummer in the house band for “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” for its entire six-year run, he performed with Phil Collins, Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Cher, Marc Anthony, Robert Palmer, Jennifer Holiday, Chaka Khan, and Neil Diamond, among other guests that appeared on the show.

His Broadway and theater credits include Radio City Music Hall, A Chorus Line, Woman of The Year, La Cage Aux Folles, Starlight Express, The Will Rogers Follies, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Damn Yankees, Mamma Mia, A Trip of Love, Disaster, Something Rotten (took over the drum chair from Perry Cavari) and the 2017 revival of Miss Saigon.

He also played on three of the biggest Broadway flops in history:1978’s “A Broadway Musical, 1992’s “The Red Shoes, and 2003’s “Dance of The Vampires.”

For more: https://broadwaydrumming101.substack.com