230 – Jim Rupp: Owner of Columbus Pro Percussion, Drumming with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Teaching in the Information Age

Jim Rupp has done extensive touring with the bands of Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, and Glenn Miller. Jim spent close to ten years with Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Diane Schuur, and has also performed and toured with artists such as Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Joe Lavano, Hank Marr, Buddy DeFranco, Maria Schneider, Clark Terry, Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, John Fedchock, Natalie Cole, the Cleveland and Columbus Jazz Orchestras, and the Smithsonian Masterworks Jazz Orchestra. These touring credits, plus his educational background, have prepared him well for clinics and performances at colleges and high schools around the country. He has given workshops at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference. In this capacity he is a clinician for Noble and Cooley drums, Zildjian cymbals, Pro Mark drumsticks, and Remo drumheads. 

As a teacher, Jim has taught at Indiana University and the University of Michigan, as well as his current appointment at The Ohio State University. He is also the co-author of an acclaimed drum set method book, “Baby Steps to Giant Steps”. Jim is currently First Vice President of the Percussive Arts Society and is a past chair of the drum set committee for the PAS. He was also a board member of NAMM, the International Music Products Association.  He also founded, and is president of Columbus Pro Percussion Inc, one of the countries largest and most respected percussion specialty stores.

In this episode, Jim talks about:

* His teaching approach * Working with the Woody Herman Orchestra * The mental aspects of performing* Teaching in the information age * The challenges of getting backline for jazz gigs* The history of Columbus Pro Percussion