Bruce Crisman, Drums!

born 1959 in Grand Junction Colorado!

 Bruce can remember the first toy he ever ask for was a drum. At age six he received a toy drum-set for Christmas. At age 8 he started drum lessons and played his first gig at age 12 filling in for his brother at an Elks Club. Bruce studied drums privately and in school all through High School playing in the Concert, Marching and Jazz bands.

After High School Bruce played in Rock and Top 40 bands around Colorado and in 1985 formed his own Jazz band the Crisman Quintet. For 15 years the Crisman Quintet performed Be Bop, Swing and Contemporary Jazz in many of Colorado’s best jazz clubs and festivals

In 1993, Bruce attended the Drummer’s Collective in Manhattan completing their certificate program, where he studied with such top name professionals as: Bobby Sanabria, Deduca DeFonseca, Kim Planefield, Clayton Cameron and Ricky Sebastian. From these masters Bruce gained a firm understanding of Brazilian, New Orleans and Afro-Cuban, rhythms which he continues to incorporate into his playing style.

Bruce currently works with, the Jack Hadley Band, the Buckner Funken Jazz Band, Slydres, JJ and the Night Sun band, and his own fusion group Heavy Feather.! Groups Bruce has worked with in the past include:! The Crisman Quintet, Eohippus, Gumbo Le Funque, Network!, Steve Crenshaw, the Good Vibes Quartet, the Buckner Funken Jazz Band, the Bill Morse Trio, the Summit Jazz Consort, Uversa, the Cat Orlando Band, Mundo De Soul, Carly and the Reactions, Windowpane, Sav Au Faire, Parallel, and Actual Poof.!

During his carrier Bruce has shared the stage with: Harry “Sweets” Edison, Joe Bonner, Maynard Ferguson, Don Byron. Tonk Edwards, Freddie Rodriguez Sr. and Jr. and Rudresh Mahanthipa. !
 

Bruce provides a solid rhythmic foundation that is energetic, intricate and exciting.!