Percussion Master Bill Donnelly, How to Structure Rhythms, in sync with the music. An artist of life specializing in T’ai Chi Chuan and drumming as a freelance New York-based musician. Teacher, author, and performer.
Bill Donnelly (Drummer, Author, Composer, Educator)
Bill Donnelly is a versatile drummer and composer within many styles of music including Jazz, Rock, Funk, R&B, African, Ska, Smooth Jazz, and Fusion. He has developed deep roots in drumming from drumming icons including David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck Quartet), Morris “Arnie” Lang (NY Philharmonic), and Gary Chester (Studio legend). Bill'srelationshipsfurther blossomed into friends/mentorswith Rod Morgenstein (Winger/Dixie Dregs), Gerry Brown (StanleyClarke/Stevie Wonder/Diana Ross) and Tom Brechtlein (Chick Corea/Wayne Shorter, KennyLoggins), and Eddie Tuduri (Jim Messina/Michael McDonald).
Bill is an active private teacher who authored articles for Creative Drummer and Modern Drummer magazines. He has recorded and toured with Dey 7, Mother Water, and his own percussion group Soul O Drums. Bill’s groove can be heard on the ballad Skylights by Reza Khan, which reached number 3 on the Smooth Jazz chart. Bill contributed his composition, Bridge of Angels to Khan’s follow-up record, Wind Dance.
Bill currently appears with Supertramp’s Rick Davies in his side group: Ricky & the Rockets, including Mike Reilly (Pure Prairie League) and GE Smith (Saturday Night Live, Hall & Oates). Bill performs locally with his group Albums We Love, interpreting iconic rock records in their entirety. He freelances with other artists, including singer-songwriters, jazz, blues, and fusion bands.
Bill has appeared in the New York Times for Jazz and composed the underscore for television ads run on Bravo, A&E, TLC, and The Food Network. Bill has shared the stage with Larry Carlton, Clarence Clemens, Average White Band, Toots and the Maytals, Richie Havens, Buster Poindexter, Dave Mason, and J. Geils.
Bill is currently performing live, composing original music, authoring a book on drumming, a book on T’ai Chi, and exploring the connection between rhythm and Kung Fu & T’ai Chi.
Select Video Links Soul O Drum
Recording & performing with Reza Khan
Bridge of Angels (B.Donnelly)
We were rehearsing Mother Water with special guest Abdoulaye Diabate, the Senegal African Griot.
Mother Water documentary
Feature profile on My Other Life documentary.
My Other Life Bill 092221.mp4 on Vimeo
Find Bill on Facebook, and Instagram: bill_donnelly_tao_of_rhythm
Contact Soul-o-drums@optonline.net for additional information & availability.
Rhythm Kings
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