Karl L. - Drummer/Educator

DrummerWorld.com "Top 500" drummer
Endorsee for Yamaha Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Evans Drumheads.

In addition to international performances, recordings and clinics, I have taught all facets of drumming privately for 20 + years.

Many of my current and former students have won countywide, regional and state competitions in both classical snare drumming and drumset in New Jersey. Former private students have graduated from Berklee College of Music, SUNY Purchase, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Montclair University, CalArts, etc.

Since 2004 I have taught percussion at the County College of Morris and Passaic County Community College. I have also taught at Sussex County Community College and Ramapo College.

I concentrate on providing my students with the necessary tools to further their personal musical goals.

I received a B.S.S. from Ohio University and studied music performance at Rutgers University, Ohio University and Berklee College of Music, including private studies with drumming greats Gary Chester and Joe Morello. I have taught workshops, master classes and clinics in the USA and abroad.

As a freelance performer, I have performed with a wide spectrum of notable artists such as Bernie Worrell; The Fantasy Band (Dave Valentine; Dave Samuels; Chuck Loeb); The Shirelles; Ali Ryerson; Claudio Roditi; Clark Terry; the John Lee Quartet; Andy Snitzer; The Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Stars; Slide Hampton; Edgar Winter; Johnny Winter; Yotam Silberstein, Roy Assaf; Charlie Elgart, Michal Urbaniak; The Drifters; The Coasters; The Tokens; The Teenagers; The Real Deal Big Band and for the Broadway hit musical “Bring it On”.

As a sideman, I have appeared on countless recordings. To date I have released three CD’s as a leader: "Dancing Spirits" (1999) and "Resonance" (2007), "Constellations" with Ryan Carniaux and Mark Egan.

I am widely recognized as a veteran of the modern European Jazz scene since 1993. For a decade. I have appeared regularly with German pianist/composer Johannes Mossinger, including 7 CD releases along with Joel Frahm, Joe Lovano, Bob Malach, Boris Kozlov, Seamus Blake, Kermit Driscoll and Don Braden. Karl also performs with German vibraphonist Wolfgang Lackerschmid, along with John Lee, Cameron Brown, Michal Urbaniak, the late Attila Zoller, Randy Brecker, and in his current ensemble with Ryan Carniaux and Mark Egan.

I am a member of the electric jazz jam groups, Unit1, with Mark Egan and John Hart (JazzTimes Magazine “50 of the Top Jazz CDs for 2013”)

"Karl L. is an inventive powerhouse whose influences are many but whose ideas are his own."
-Jeff Tamarkin