Charlie Zeleny

Charlie Zeleny

Charlie Zeleny
Background information
Birth name Charles Thomas Zeleny
Also known as Charlie Z
Origin New Jersey, US
Genres Progressive rock, progressive metal, jazz fusion, pop, rock, jazz, hip hop
Occupation(s) Musician, drummer
Instruments Drums
Years active 1995–present
Associated acts Jordan Rudess, Terry Bozzio, Joe Lynn Turner, Behold... The Arctopus, Blotted Science, Suspyre, The Great Kat, Kristin Chenoweth, Outasight, XV, Gala, Rock of Ages
Website charliezeleny.com
Notable instruments
Sonor, Paiste, Evans, Vic Firth

Charlie Zeleny is an American drummer, music director and producer most popular for his work playing duo with Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater and his drum duet work with Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel. He also gained notoriety playing a nonstop 8-minute drum solo called "Drumageddon" while walking up and taking an elevator in a Brooklyn building, using drums placed in the building and parts of the building, in one continuous take. Zeleny has toured 39 US states, 19 countries and is on 70+ album releases and was an original member of progressive metal bands Blotted Science and Behold the Arctopus.

Early life

Zeleny was born September 18, 1981 in Northern New Jersey. Zeleny first entered the world of drumming through grammar school concert band when he was just 8 years old.[1] After taking jazz band and countless music courses in middle & high school, Zeleny graduated and moved on to Drew University, where he majored in music performance. In addition to his normal studies, Zeleny was the founder and head of Drew's jazz music department for the full 3 years of his higher education. During his time in college, Zeleny had the privilege to study under Tommy Igoe, Nick Scheuble and Joe Bergamini before being accepted to graduate school for jazz drumset performance at New York University. He did not attend but instead decided to become a professional musician.[2]

Professional music career

Since becoming involved in the music scene, Charlie Zeleny has toured 39 US states, and in 19 countries while working with countless musicians in numerous projects, many within a large variety of musical styles.[3] Unsatisfied to be contained in one genre of music, Zeleny has learned to accurately play many different styles as a versatile and working session drummer including pop, rock, jazz, fusion, progressive metal, hip hop, funk and R&B.[4]

In playing with such versatility, Zeleny has been able to perform with such acts as Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess, as well as classical violin & guitarist The Great Kat.[1] In addition, he has performed double drums with master drummer Terry Bozzio for The Drum Channel.[3] He also plays for Deep Purple and Rainbow's lead singer Joe Lynn Turner, Broadway & Glee Sony artist & Country Pop Star Kristin Chenoweth, Warner Bros. artist Outasight and has opened for such acts as The Blue Öyster Cult, Akon, Between the Buried and Me, and Bon Jovi in Puerto Rico.[5]

Besides his work as a session drummer, Zeleny was an original member of the group Behold...The Arctopus as well as internationally acclaimed band Blotted Science, featuring Ron Jarzombek of Spastic Ink and Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse.[5]

Current musical projects

Charlie Zeleny overlooking NYC Skyline after Drumageddon Drum Solo

In late 2011, Drummer Charlie Zeleny performed "Drumageddon" The Ultimate Drum Solo up an entire multi-floor building in Brooklyn NYC from the Street to Roof in one continuous take to launch his solo drumset career.

Zeleny played drums through multiple floors, hallways and up the freight elevator of the building without stopping using multiple 4 separate complete drumsets along with 5 Protools recording rigs. Stage hands dressed as different characters brought Zeleny to and from each drumset in the 8-minute Drum Solo video and a single HD camerman followed him up the building in one continuous shot.

The video garnered 18,000+ views within 2 weeks of uploading with viewers in 111 countries and is featured on 100 websites including New York Magazine, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Metal Hammer, Metal Injection, Metal Sucks, Rhythm Magazine, Rhythm Base, NME, Drummerzone, Rock Overdose, Spiked Nation, Voice (Finland), Whiplash (Brazil), Movook (Japan), Melodic Rock and many other news outlets.

In another project, Zeleny not only drums for, but is also the bandleader and music director for a large group, NYC-based Latin Band, featuring many of the biggest session musicians on the scene today. The band, named Cracked Latin, has been featured in People en Español, Aquarian Magazine, Radio Station WFMU and at Irving Plaza, Sullivan Hall and Iridium Jazz Club. Zeleny not only leads the band and plays drumset on the gigs but also scored the arrangements and produced a live album at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC.[6] The musicians used in the project are:

Charlie Zeleny Leading Large Latin Band at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC.

Charlie Zeleny also led 30 of the top session musicians performing a variety of Rock, Funk, Jazz and Fusion tunes at The Bitter End on September 19, 2011 (the night after his birthday).

Charlie Zeleny at his 2011 Birthday Concert

The Charlie Z Birthday Concert Musicians were:

Charlie Zeleny plays with Richie Cannata, Brad Mason & Fred Maxwell at his Birthday Concert.

Other credits

Charlie Z Live in action

In his non-studio career, Zeleny has been seen and heard on MTV, VH1, E!, XM & Sirius Satellite Radio, Oxygen TV, The View, AOL Sessions, The CBS Morning Show, WPIX, NFL Network, on Tone Maker DJ Ringtone Creator featuring Method Man and Cee Lo Green and on various major label projects on Sony Music and Warner Bros. Records like hiphop artist XV.

In live performances, he has played such venues as Irving Plaza,[7] Lincoln Center,[8] Iridium Jazz Club, and a New York Jets half time show with the Broadway act Rock of Ages at New Meadowlands Stadium (formerly Giants Stadium) for 82,500 fans.

He has also played The Bowery Ballroom, Six Flags Mainstage, Avatar Recording Studios, Sony Music Studios, Highline Ballroom, Cove City Sound Studios, BB Kings Jazz & Blues Club and The Knitting Factory NYC & LA among many others. He's performed at and has been a featured artist at endorser signings at the NAMM Show in California[1] and has played radio station Z100's Zootopia Concert at the Izod Center.

Zeleny is featured as a member of the Sick Drummer Magazine "Hall of Fame" and also in Blender Magazine as "One of the Best Drummers of All Time".[9]

As of December 7, 2011, Zeleny's official YouTube page has over 1,700 subscribers, 38,500+ channel views and has received over 900,000 total views since being established, offering live performances as well as drum training videos for those willing to learn.[3]

Gear

Zeleny is an endorser of Pearl Drums, Paiste cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Vic Firth sticks, Rhythm Tech percussion, Protection Racket bags, Audix drum mics, Hansenfutz practice pedals, Onboard Research Beatnik practice pads, Duallist pedals, Presonus preamps, DRM EARZ in-ear monitors, Ddrum triggers, Drumageddon Productions, Evil Dog Films, Three Egg Studios, Universal Live Audio Video, Connector Entertainment Group and Cablesmith.

Charlie Z's 2011 Drumset Setup
Front View of Charlie Z's Drumkit
Charlie Zeleny behind drumset in studio.

Discography (partial)

Charlie Zeleny with Terry Bozzio at Drum Channel in CA.

CDs:[1]

Charlie Zeleny & Jordan Rudess Duo signing at AIRS in Japan.

Videos:[1]

References

Charlie Zeleny live shot.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 SickDrummer Interview
  2. ↑ Blabbermouth
  3. 1 2 3 Charlie Zeleny Official YouTube Channel
  4. ↑ CharlieZeleny.com
  5. 1 2 Sick Drummer Magazine Article
  6. ↑ Cracked Latin Official Website
  7. ↑ Irving Plaza Official Website
  8. ↑ Lucie Awards Official Site
  9. ↑ Blender Magazine Message Board Post
  10. ↑ Charlie Z at Paiste Cymbals
  11. ↑ Charlie Z at Evans Drumheads
  12. ↑ Charlie Z at Vic Firth Sticks
  13. 1 2 Jordan Rudess Online Conservatory
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