Wally Schnalle has been playing drums well over 40 years. For the past 20 years he has been sharing his knowledge and experience with many students as a teacher but remains active as both a bandleader and as a sideman to many great Bay Area musicians. His musical engagements find him in many genres including Latin, funk, rock and blues, but the bulk of his performances are in jazz and fusion settings. His band leading experiences have resulted in the release of six CDs of original compositions. He has also been a sideman on numerous other recordings. He has been the recipient of a compositional commission from the Santa Clara University School of Music and Dance, which premiered in Santa Clara and San Francisco. Additionally for over 15 years he has been involved with DRUM! Magazine as both Music Editor and as a columnist. He also serves as a clinician for the San Jose Jazz Society and has done so for many years. That association takes him to many schools in the San Jose School District to both perform and talk about Jazz. He has also been the recipient of a Artist in Residence Grants from the California Arts Council to work with drummers at Arts Magnet School, Lincoln High School. Wally received Bachelor of Arts Degree in Jazz Performance from San Jose State University and Wally’s artist endorsements include Zildjian Cymbals, Pearl Drums and Vic Firth Sticks. For more info visit his website
www.itrhymes.com
A Recent Review of Wally’s Latest CD
JazzTimes MAY 2009
Wally Schnalle
Louder Than Your TV
Drummer Wally Schnalle applies his facile jazz-rock chops to slamming funk-fusion fare like “Everybody’s Got One,” “Betty Jo B” and the title track. The dynamic, tempo-shifting “Traffic Update” is a nod to Weather Report while the quirky “Gimme a Break (Everybody Does)” simultaneously showcases Schnalle’s second-line groove and his swing factor. This tight quintet includes powerhouse saxophonist Charles McNeal and accomplished guitarist Jeff Massanari. Fans of Mike Clark and Dave Weckl will dig this.
From Reviews of Previous Work
"Lightning fast licks, sleight-of-hand stickwork or pummeling power displays--Wally Schnalle is capable of doing all those things and more. What sets him apart from the pack, however, is his unerring musicality, his ability to make his drums speak in multiple tongues--fluently. Most importantly, he is committed to musical growth." Nicky Baxter, The Metro, San Jose California
"Schnalle grooves with grit and grace…..Schnalle's quartet is awesome." Chuck Berg ,JazzTimes
"Fierce modern jazz chops.."Adam Budofsky , Modern Drummer
"Schnalle is a serious force on drums. He plays with terrific energy and the kind of controlled abandon needed to propel his hard-driving compositions." Joel Roberts, AllAboutJazz.com
"Schnalle’s playing is powerfully fluid throughout, while at the same time he provides a gritty focus that grounds some of the spacier electronic moments." Stephan Latessa, AllAboutJazz.com
"One of the few drummers that can drive around all sides of the beat." The Davis Enterprise, Davis, California
"Schnalle is a powerful drummer who can getin tight behind a soloist and enhance without getting in the way." Robert Tate, JazzNow
Selected Discography
Louder Than Your TV, Wally Schnalle 2009
Moving Target, Mike Sult 2009
Physics & Magic, Wally Schnalle 2007
Groove Work, Jeff Massanari, Jazz Dog Records 2006
The Suit, Wally Schnalle, Retlaw Records 2005
Still Waters, Catherine Seidel, Open Path Music 2005
Faces, Opie Bellas , Bella Blue Records 2005
Santa Cruz Live Looping Festival Y2K3, Volume Two Percussion etc,
Haas Records 2004
HomeTown Christmas, Jeff Massanari, Jazz Dog Records 2004
Le Petit Trianon Concert, Martan Mann, Jazzical Recordings 2004
It’s All About Love, Jamie Davis, Mark Little Productions 2003
For the Music, Jeff Massanari Trio, Jazz Dog Records 2003
Hip To Jazz, San Jose Jazz Society Educational CD 2003
Many Places, Tim Volpicella. Open Path Music 2003
That Place, Wally Schnalle, Reltaw Records 1999
Go Where It's Dangerous, Jeff Pittson, Vineland Records 1999
John Coltrane: A Remembrance, Suzanne Pittson, Vineland Records 1999
By Any Mode Necessary, Hafez Modirzadeh, XDOT2 1999
Why Do They Call You That ?, Wally Schnalle, Retlaw Records 1997
Crisis At The Theme Park, Dave Ristrim, T.R.S. 1996
(it rhymes), Wally Schnalle, TreeFort Records 1995
Balldesque, John Bliss, SoundShower Record 1994
Suite Norma D., Wally Schnalle, 181 N. First Productions 1990
Live In San Jose, Eddie Gale, Roof Top Records
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