MARK CAVALLO – DRUMS
Mark has been playing drums and reading music since 1972. His first lessons were at Red Bank Music in 1972 also. His older brother John was already playing bass at the time, so they teamed up with a guitarist in the neighborhood to form their fist band. Getting an early start he played at the local Fireman’s Fair at age 12. From there he moved on to another local band there in 1976 called “Idlewild South”, which was a southern rock tribute band. They started at private parties and moved up to playing at the Stone Pony and Mrs. Jays back in 1978-80. (I’m afraid to mention his age at the time!)
Eventually, after years of local gigs and lessons with Joe Nevolo (Good Rats, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush) Mark was excepted at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he began another musical chapter. While at Berklee Mark studied drums with Ed Uribe, Tommy Campbell (John McGlaughlin, Sonny Rollins), John Ramsey (Wynton and Brandford Marsalis, Kevin and Robin Eubanks), Gary Chaffee who taught Vinnie Colaiuta of Frank Zappa, Steve Smith of Journey, and Kenny aronoff of John Mellencamp to name a few. In the Berklee dormitories he lived two doors down from Wil Calhoun (Living Colour) who also studied with Tommy Campbell. He went to school with other famous artists such as Zac Alford (drummer for the B52s, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie), vocalist Paula Cole (international recording artist), saxaphonist Warren Hill (Chaka Khan), guitarist Mark Whitfield (Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Art Blakey), drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), Steve wolfe (drummer for Katy Perry, Kesha, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson)and too many others to name.
Mark worked in a tour band called “Branches” while attending Berklee. They opened for The Tubes and other Major label bands while on the road from St. Thomas V.I to Quebec City in Canada. He was also a drum instructor at Wood & Strings Music and at a private school (Belmon Hill School) in Arlington Massachussetts for a few years before leaving Boston. He made his way back to New Jersey and started playing with his brother again in a band called “Chik-A-Boom. They played at The Headliner, Jenkinson’s, Bar A, and many other clubs in NJ. In that time played with Richie Labamba (Conan O’Brien show), Bobby Bandiera (Bon Jovi, B.Springsteen, Southside Johnny) and many others on the Jersey shore. Mark was filling-in on drums for The Southern Steel Band for about a year and was recently given the position as the full time drummer for the band. Come and check us out!

Drums