Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Richard Cully was born on April 19, 1949 in Manhattan, New York.  He began his musical journey at the age of 16 studying with James Rago, Professor of Percussion at the University of Louisville. While still in high school, he formed a very popular quartet, The Charades, then went on to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. There he studied with Alan Dawson and continued his studies with former “Tonight Show” drummer Ed Shaughnessy.

Early in his career Dick performed a variety of musical styles, pop, rock, disco, jazz and country. However, in 1982, he formed the Dick Cully Big Band, a high energy, exciting unit performing a wide variety of arrangements for all age groups.  In 1984, he became an artist/endorser for the world famous Slingerland Drum Company.

Cully has worked with Toni Tennille, Sandy Duncan, Florence Henderson, Frank Gorshin, Ray Anthony, Buddy Morrow, Skitch Henderson, Patti Page, Nanette Fabray, Les Elgart, Connie Haines, Bobby Rydell, comedians Foster Brooks and George Kirby.  In 1989, the Dick Cully Big Band was chosen as “One of the best bands in the nation” by Down Beat magazine and featured on Black Entertainment Network’s “Jazz Discovery” television program.

Recognized as an educator and clinician, he is the author of  Instructional Drum Videos The Workout, Secrets of the World’s Greatest Drummer and More Secrets of the World’s Greatest Drummer, which are in-depth analysis of the late Buddy Rich. Drummer Dick Cully continues to perform and lead his band.

More Posts: bandleader,drums,history,instrumental,jazz,music