Greg Fundis Master Class

 

 

Whether he is described as a "phenomenon," "a monster performer in any setting," or "one of the sickest new drummers on the scene," Greg Fundis is certainly considered a rising star in live music performance today.

Harnessing the fire of Buddy Rich, the finesse of Vinnie Colaiuta, and the tasteful funkiness of Ziggy Modeliste, he has found his own creative voice through the drums. Passion, flair and energy being some of his greatest attributes, have led to a recent invite into the family of the world’s largest manufacturer of drumsticks and mallets, and Fundis is now a proud endorser of Vic Firth sticks, brushes, and mallets.

Vic Firth is world renowned for their products and educational tools. Streaming from drumsticks, timpani mallets, educational essentials and news, they are leaders in the percussive industry. Their exclusive artist roster includes talent from the likes of Buddy Rich (Jazz Legend), Jon Fishman (Phish), Stanton Moore (Galactic), and Marcus Randolph (Robert Randolph & The Family Band).

Drummer for the Chicago-based acoustic funk sensation, 56 Hope Road, Fundis performed over 250 shows nationwide in 2005. At year’s end, the band was given the title "#1 Road Warrior" from the distinguished online music resource, JamBase.com, for the most shows performed out of approximately 12,000 bands on the national touring circuit. 56 Hope Road has continued on with their high stretch of live shows nationwide and recently performed at national music festivals such as Wakarusa and Summercamp. Fundis’s travels have also taken him to 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.

Aside from the relentless touring, Fundis is a well sought-after music educator, ensemble director and clinician in the Chicago-area. 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.

At DePaul University, Fundis completed his Masters Degree in jazz studies and received a Bachelor of Music Degree in commercial music performance at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Throughout college he won many awards in the areas of marimba, multi-percussion, and jazz drumset, and is also a DownBeat Magazine notable jazz alumnus. In his education, hard work and experience, Fundis has become one of the youngest internationally published percussion composers with his book of compositions, Contemporary Audition Solos for Percussion (Studio 4/Marimba Productions Inc). His drumming can be heard on over 25 studio recordings and soundtracks with artists ranging from jazz to pop to children’s music.