Jake began studying drums at the age of 7; by 9 he was playing weekends at local family owned German bars and restaurants with his older brother Steve, who played accordion. When he was 16 he joined the Musicians Union and had the opportunity to play at clubs throughout the city as a teenager because so many musicians were away at war. Upon high school graduation he enlisted in the Navy and embarked upon a world tour across 29 countries in the Admiral’s Band playing for Kings, Queens and other such dignitaries.

Returning to Chicago upon discharge from the Navy Jake began what would become a long and prestigious playing career consisting of recording work, television gigs, events and concert bookings. He played for scads of celebrities such as Jimmy Durante, Mel Torme and Tony Bennett to name a few and helped develop product lines for the Slingerland and Ludwig Drum Companies.

Continuing the work ethic he developed in his teen years, Jake taught privately six days a week, did clinics for retailers and schools, and also managed to find the time to write numerous instruction books and performance pieces while gigging at night. He taught in the New Trier and Maine school systems until 1974, and then started teaching at Oakton Community College where he ultimately dedicated the next twenty years of his teaching experience to developing and building the college’s percussion and jazz band programs.

Many of Jake’s students went on to become professional musicians, recording artists, and teachers in their own right, such as: world renown vibist, Dave Samuels, NYSPO timpanist and Peabody University educator, John Haas, and former Ramsey Lewis drummer, Frank Donaldson. Accustomed to hearing from former students both in and out of the field of music, one of Jake's favorite “old student” calls came from Dr. Ben Miller, Marshall University’s percussion director. Insistent that he had to watch the network news that evening for a big surprise, Jake tuned in to see Miller's university drummers performing his 54 Heads Drum Battle on the helmets of the school's football team. Showmanship was inherent in his teaching agenda and Jake was “gassed” over the staging creativity Miller used.

Reminiscent of his playing and teaching experiences, Jake says his biggest accomplishment was when his OCC Jazz Percussion Ensemble was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall. For Jake, it was the ultimate compliment and tribute to his lifelong mantra: drummers are musicians too.


2011 NEWS

Jake's Drum Battles will soon be available through Chicago Jazz.com!

Coming soon: 18, 36 and 54 HEADS drum battles for 2, 4,& 6 sets. Jazz Band and Ensemble arrangements are in the works too!