BIOGRAPHY
Tom Brechtlein, born on May 10, 1957 in Long Island, New York, is an American jazz-fusion drummer, best known for his work with Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Al Di Meola, Jean Luc Ponty, and Robben Ford whom he's worked with since 1986.
Brechtlein gravitated towards the drums at a young age after listening to the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. In junior high school, Tom's attention turned to big band jazz — becoming attracted to the music of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. His investigation of jazz led him to Dave Brubeck's drummer Joe Morello and then to modern giants like Elvin Jones and Tony Williams as well as legends like Papa Jo Jones, Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones. "When I was 18," he recalls, "I saw Chick Corea's Return To Forever on PBS Television; and I remember sitting there thinking, ' I'm going to play with that guy someday.'" Two years later, in 1978, he auditioned with Corea and got the gig. He remained in the band till 1983, at which point he joined Wayne Shorter's band. There followed extensive road work with guitarist Al Di Meola and violinist Jean Luc Ponty before Tom finally hooked up with Robben Ford in 1986.
Tom Brechtlein plays Yamaha Drums, Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, Regal Tip Sticks, Meinl Percussion and uses Shure microphones.
