Bob Florence rehearsal with Trey Henry

Dick Weller is one of the most electrifying drummers in the California area today. His virtuosity has gained him recognition from some of the top jazz musicians in the United States and has earned him the reputation as being one of the most versatile, hard-driving, solid groove players around.

After earning a degree in Music from New York University, Dick began playing in various jazz clubs in and around Manhattan. His extraordinary ability soon caught the attention of many notable musicians and performances followed with Mike Stern, Bobby Lyle, Mike Manieri and Scott Henderson, amid many others. He appeared in concert with the great Diane Schuur and performed with Bobby Shew at the 1989 New York City Brass Conference. Dick currently is playing with Bob Florence's Limited Edition Big Band.

In the studio, Dick has performed for many musicians, including Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard,John Beasely, Alfonso Johnson, Glenn Alexander, Jeff Beal, and Steve Tavaglione. He also appeared on an instructional tape with singer Judy Niemack that featured pianist Fred Hersch and bassist Scott Colley, and has appeared on the Jazz Network with the Weller Bros.

Dick also received two invitations by Yamaha to perform in their "Drums for Lunch" series, which features concerts and lectures by some of New York's most prestigious drummers. Over the past several years, he has appeared in and around New York with musicians such as Charles Blenzig, Andy Laverne, Jeff Andrews, Rachel Z, Chuck Loeb and Walt Weiskopf.

Dick was an affiliate faculty member at the State University of New York at Purchase, teaching undergraduate level jazz composition, and now enjoys a similar position at California State University, Northridge.

Dick endorses Yamaha drums.

The non-availability of Bob Florence's regular drummer Gregg Field allowed Dick to sit in on rehearsals.

It is not unremarkable for musicians in the Los Angeles area (as in other centres), to be able to site read to a high standard. What can be a pleasant surprise is an instant interpretive awareness, even with new music.The fact that Dick was a student of the late and superb drummer Nick Ceroli and had absorbed his style to compliment his own, was definately a plus. There is a certain drum sound in Bob's head when he is writing, that sound was in Ceroli's playing.

Such is the standard of musician in the Florence Limited Edition, that availability can be a problem due to national and international commitments. With Dick Weller that does not seem to be a problem as this Manhatten Beach resident has day-time, non-music commitments that keep him in town. Dick can be heard on the new BOB FLORENCE LIMITED EDITION MAMA CD " SERENDIPIDY 18 ".

The Limited Edition performed at the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JAZZ EDUCATORS conference in Anaheim this year. Such was the impact and reception for the band and for Dick Weller that I suspect that certain instrument companies will want to be associated with the band and Bob Florence.

Dick now endorses Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals. The specs for his current kit isas follows: 10" and 12" rack toms, 14" floor tom, 22" power bass drum, 14" piccolo snare drum (with power hoops). These are all Recording series drums. Cymbals are 20" 'A' Zildjian ride, 22" Pang, 17" Crash, and 13" newbeat hi - hats.

Check out Dick's latest recording outing with the superb Phil Norman Tentet 'LIVE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE 'SEABREEZE SB 3044. This outstanding CD by this top Southern California group is the third in a series and it gets better every time. Important arrangements by Bob Florence, Kim Richmond, Roger Neumann and more make this CD a 'must have'.

John Killoch

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Most recent revision 7th June 2000