Drummer & Singer Steve Dow: Professional Biography

Steve Dow (aka "Jolt") has been playing kit drums, percussion, and lead & backing vocals for over 15 years. He's toured throughout the U.S. with the original jump blues band "The Persuaders", as well as throughout the northeastern U.S. with the rock band, "Safety In Numbers", and performed with many other cover and original bands. He is comfortable creating and playing in the genres of Jazz, Big Band, Latin, R&B, Motown, New Country, Fusion, Funk, Classic Rock and Progressive Rock.

Early on, he studied with Bobbi Clarke (a touring drummer with Joan Baez, and a pioneer in the development of Fusion Drumming). Bobbi had a great deal of influence on Steve's approach to drumming, as well as the music industry. Steve has performed alongside some great musicians through the years, and, as a result his singing and drumming talents have grown over a wide range of genres - although he loves rock and funk drumming best. He is also a respected session/live player in the northeastern U.S.

Steve has shared the stage with varied artists such as Delbert McClinton, Farrenheit, Albert Collins, Joan Jett, Till Tuesday, The Joe Perry Project, Molly Hatchet, and many others. He's also done sessions and/or performed with musicians who have recorded and/or performed with artists such Alison Krauss, Artie Shaw, Maynard Ferguson, MC5, Buddy Rich, Albert Collins, Albert King, Bo Diddly, and more.

Currently, Steve is doing a variety of freelance drum kit, hand drum and singing work, and recorded with multi CMT award winner and JUNO award nominee; contemporary country artist Joan Kennedy. Although he enjoys project and session work, He still seeks the ideal band to be part of. No matter, "Jolt" always creates "great grooves”, "nails the pocket", and can offer up a wide range of fills and solos from his large "bag of tricks". He also writes and arranges.

At the "World's Fastest Drummer" Regional Qualifier (at Berklee College of Music) with "cool guy", judge, professor, and current "World's Fastest Drummer"; Mike Mangini.

Steve also has an "Outstanding Musicianship" award from the NAJE (National Association of Jazz Educators), shares an ASCAP songwriting award (earned while touring with the original rock band, "Safety in Numbers"), and placed third at the 2004 "World's Fastest Drummer" competition - held at the NAMM Show in California. Steve's current "unofficial” maximum speed for single stroke rolls in 60-seconds is 1069; but who's counting? Groove is where it's really at!