Gregory Fundis
Greg Fundis is a rising star among performers, educators, critics and live music fans who have described him as a "phenomenon," "a monster performer in all settings" and "one of the sickest new drummers on the scene." Harnessing the fire of Buddy Rich, the finesse of Vinnie Colaiuta and the tasteful funkiness of Ziggy Modeliste, Fundis finds his own creative voice through the drums bringing energy, passion, positivism and groove to every performance.
Currently touring with the Chicago-based acoustic funk sensation 56 Hope Road , Fundis performed over 250 shows nationwide in 2005, earning them the title of "#1 Road Band" out of 12,000 bands on the national touring circuit. He has toured throughout the US, Europe, Japan, and the Caribbean Islands including performances with artists such as Louis Bellson, Ira Sullivan, Claudio Roditi, Von Freeman, Joe Lovano, Bob Brookmeyer, Tom Harrell, Steve Houghton, Dick Oats, Fareed Haque, Dede Sampaio, Michael Wang, Ed Harrison and Ruben Alvarez.
Fundis' drumming can be heard on over 25 studio recordings and soundtracks with artists ranging from jazz to pop to children's music. Fundis is a DownBeat Magazine notable jazz alumnus holding a Masters Degree in jazz studies from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Music Degree in commercial music performance from Millikin University in Decatur, IL. His teachers and mentors have included Brian Justison, Ed Harrison, James Moyer, Joel Spencer, Louis Bellson, Steve Houghton, Carl Allen, Ted Atkatz, Michael Green, Michael Taylor, Ruben Alvarez, Kim Klickna and Mamady Keita. Throughout college, Fundis won numerous awards for percussion performance in the areas of marimba, multi-percussion, and jazz drumset and became one of the youngest internationally published percussion composers with his book of compositions, Contemporary Audition Solos for Percussion (Studio 4/Marimba Productions Inc).
In addition to relentless performing, Fundis is a highly sought-after music educator, ensemble director and clinician in the Chicago-area where he has held teaching positions at Roosevelt and DePaul Universities as well as coordinating world percussion programs at the Chicago Children's Choir Academy and Jewish Community Centers of Chicago. Amidst his rising success, Fundis stays humble, works hard and is "enjoying performing, traveling, the music community, living and playing in the moment."
Website: www.56HopeRd.com
