October, 2002:
Hello and welcome to our web site. I hope our music makes you feel good and maybe you'll get a little giggle out of the web site as well.
To me the reason I play is because of the love of music, the challenge of learning something new, and the joy of entertaining friends. I love it when people's faces light up and they get into the moment. When they smile, get excited, tap their foot, and just feel the need to get up and dance. I love the musical interplay of good musicians. The little musical conversations that go back and forth with the players and the different feels and textures they create. I love it when a great soloist takes you on a musical journey that has a start and a high point and an end. It's just like reading a story or book. And like a good book, it offers a chance to escape the "everyday" just for a little bit and just enjoy life and music and friends. I love it!
I've been influenced by so many great players and artists over the years that there are just too many to list. The list would be emence and covers almost every style of music out there. Jazz, Rock, Country, Funk, Blues, Pop, Classical, you name it. Each one has something different to offer and I love them all.
I would like to thank the people that have influenced me along the way.
Mike
October, 2002:
I am truly fortunate to be performing with Mike and John. I had no interest in performing when Steve Ellis called and told me about this great drummer that I had to hear. Thankfully, Steve was persistent. Minutes after playing with John, I called Mike.
I met Mike 20 years earlier at Indiana State University in the Department of Music. From our prior association, I knew that he was a very talented musician. We had discussed the possibility of working together once again, but I had reservations. I was still grieving the loss of my parents, and I was not highly interested. Once John entered the picture, I knew the combination could be special. Working with these wonderful musicians has helped lift my spirit, and has brought the joy of performing back into my life.
My earliest musical influence was Hardy Cheatham, my big brother. He is a great bassist, and a cool guy. Wanting to be cool like my brother, I took up the bass as well. Growing up in the early to mid-70's I was heavily influenced by horn oriented funk bands such as the Tower of Power, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Ohio Players, and Graham Central Station. While attending ISU and learning more about classical and jazz, in general, my favorite artists were fusion oriented. Jazz players such as Stanley Clarke & Jaco Pastorius and great bands such as Seawind became my favorites.
I have performed locally with various types of groups including The 6th Dynasty (funk), The Hank Roberts Quartet (fusion), Rhythmic Union (fusion), Susan Clark & Rumors (originals/ pop), and Eddie & the Motivators (60's) to name a few.
I'd like to thank my wife Kristi for the sacrifices she made, my son Quincy and my daughter Mya for being the loves of my life, my brother Hardy and sister Julia for their positive contributions and, most of all, my mother & father for putting up with all of my crap and still loving me unconditionally.
Peace
Jerome
October, 2002:
I have the good fortune of being the drummer in The Mike Rolle Band. It has been quite some time since I've been in a band and it feels great. Jerome and Mike are a couple of gems.
One of my earliest memories of playing the drums is when I was around 7 years old. My Dad taught me how to play the jazz beat to a Louis Armstrong record. I remember my Dad requiring quite a lot of patience as I struggled to hear and feel the beat. Fortunately for me, and probably my Dad too, I finally did hear it! My Dad asked me if I wanted to sit-in at a clinic he was having for his students where we would get a chance to play with a band. Though scared to death, I said yes and I remember it being one of the biggest thrills of my life. All I could do was play the jazz beat -- no fills, no be-bop figures, not anything but ding, ding-da-ding, ding-da-ding. But, it didn't matter. I was hooked!
Musically, Jazz was, and still is, my first love, though I enjoy playing many different styles of music. Some of my favorite drummers have been Dick DiCenso, Louis Bellson, Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Danny Seraphine (Chicago), Roy Burns, Bobby Colomby (Blood, Sweat, & Tears), and Vinnie Colaiuta. My favorite drummer today is my own brother, Dave DiCenso. Wow! If you ever get a chance to hear him play, you'll understand why!
Well, I did the school music thing (marching band, concert band, state competitions) and kept my private lessons going throughout High School. My favorite musical experience during this time was playing with jazz bands, from small combos to 20 piece big bands. I played a couple of years in my college's jazz band, which also provided me with some wonderful experiences. But most of my playing came from working. I began playing "professionally" when I was a junior in High School playing functions, predominantly weddings. This proved to be a great part time job and helped me through college. After getting a "real job", the gigging began to slow down and I gave it up completely in the early 90's.
I'm now 40 years old (how did that happen?) and I haven't done a gig in over 10 years. But, the great thing about music is it can last you a lifetime and you can always come back to it and even improve. I've been practicing again, at least a little bit (still have a "real" job.... at least for the moment). I also recently took some great lessons from Dan Lauby at the Conservatory of Music. There is always so much to learn, which is half the fun, and no matter what your playing level, Dan's got a lot to offer. But the most fun about music for me is playing with other musicians.... listening to each other, playing off each other, and hopefully, creating something that works...for those who are listening and for those who are playing. I consider myself extremely lucky to have hooked up with two such fine musicians. They make me want to be a better player and musician and I love that. Mike and Jerome, thanks!
Speaking of thanks, I'd like to thank a few folks who have been particularly supportive of my playing:
John
November, 2007:
I'm really happy to be joining the MRB. I've known Mike for more than 20 years. I've had the good fortune to play music with him before. Skyline was the first band we were in together and it was a great experience. We have done other things as well. Mike is one of the best guitar players I've ever known. This is my first time to play with John. WOW! What a drummer. This guy is good. I'm honored to be in the band with these guys".
I started playing music in my chrch as a kid. So my earliest experiences were gospel music. I learned by playing southern gospel music with a lot of backbeat rhythms. But also 60's & 70's rock and pop. Bands like Boston, the Atlanta Rythm Section, the Little River Band, Toto, and anything Motown to name just a few. And let's not forget the Beatles. Bassists like James Jamerson, Abe Laboriel, George McCardle, Paul Goddard, and David Hungate were my biggets influences. Musicians run in my family. My grandmother and her sister used to sing live on the radio in the 1930's and my Dad has played professionally as well.
Thanks to:
Doug