Paul Pakusch, Drummer

I'm an old-school drummer with a passion for playing rudiments on a snare drum. My full kit is simple; I like the "less is more" concept. Other musicians have described me as an excellent "pocket drummer;"
I will keep a strong beat while adding fills and solos when appropriate.

I began my lifelong passion for drumming in the Fall of 1971 at age 10 when I joined the Greece Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. For the next five years, I toured around New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Ontario, Canada as we competed in DCI Competitions, performed exhibitions and marched in parades. I played cymbals and bass drum.

From 1975 to 1979, I took drum lessons from noted Rochester bandleader Carl Dengler. From 1978 to 1984, I played in local rock bands Silver Quarry and The Mods. In 2001, I became active again when Intrigued was formed. I was in it until about 2008. In 2005, I started marching parades again when I joined what is now Mark Time Marchers. I play snare drum, sometimes bass drum, tri-toms or cymbals.

I joined Excelsior Brigade Fife & Drum Corps in 2008 as a snare drummer, and Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums in 2013, also as a snare drummer. I am still marching with Mark Time Marchers and Excelsior Brigade Fife & Drum Corps. I am now in a new group called Blues Circle, and have created a solo drum show called "Paul's Percussion Rhythms." See my "current projects" for details.

My "ancient" style rope snare drum is my pride and joy. I get my best drumming gratification when I play this drum.

My drum was custom made in 2010 by Jim Florance (now deceased) of Florance Drums. The image on the front was designed by my son-in-law, Geoffrey Zeiner and painted onto the drum by my daughter, Tracy Pakusch. Both were art students of the Rochester Institute of Technology. I had wanted a design that was not specific to any war period; I favored a nautical theme. Geoffrey did some research. The image shows a Cutter Boat that would have been used in Lake Ontario, off the shores of my home city, Rochester, NY during the 1790's. The starburst was inspired by 19th century drum maker William S. Tomkins.

Please contact me for information regarding performances or demonstrations.

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Contact: ppakusch@gmail.com

www.PaulPakusch.com