Art Gore's drumming style is characterized by signature driving cymbal beats, crisp, sharp snare accents, and well-placed bass drum "bombs". During his three decade career, he has performed and recorded with such artists as George Benson, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lonnie Liston Smith, Pharoah Sanders, Woody Shaw, Larry Young, Bobby Watson, Freddie Hubbard, John Scofield, Hank Marr, J.J. Johnson, Joey Defrancesco, Kenny Dorham, Hank Crawford, James Moody, and Ahmad Jamal, to name a few. Dr. Lonnie Smith has said of Art "Art has the kind of rhythm and drive that's always right there". Art Gore was born into a family of musicians, which began his early exposure to jazz. By age sixteen he was playing professionally. After graduating from high school, Art attened Berklee College of music then was drafted into the armed forces for two years. His musical development continued by playing with the First Armored Division Band and orchestra and leading his own groups. After the armed services, Art studied at the New England Conservatory of Music under Vic Firth, percussionist with the Boston Symphony. He also went back to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts with the world-renowned drum instructor Alan Dawson, who also was instructor to the late innovative drummer Tony Williams. While on tour in Boston, Dr. Lonnie Smith asked Alan Dawson to recommend a drummer. Art was that drummer. After hearing Art play, Lonnie hired him immediately. Eventually, Art and Lonnie were both hired into George Benson's band, which they toured and recorded with for five years. Art, Lonnie, and George continue their friendship today, and their musical association with occasional club dates and concerts including an appearance at the Playboy Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, NCL Jazz Festival 2000 and others. Upon leaving George Benson's band, Art began working with Lonnie Liston Smith. Even though working with the fusion keyboardist was a diversion from the straight-ahead style he had been playing, Art admired Lonnie's innovative style. He saw Lonnie had a specific concept and vision for his music, and Art's contribution of different drum grooves and rhythms helped enhance the musical ideal Lonnie was trying to achieve. Art's recordings with Lonnie were some of the most important of his early career. Many jazz enthusiasts consider one of the recordings "Expansions" (RCA 1975) a jazz-fusion classic. "Voodoo Woman", one of the compositions that Art recorded with Lonnie is included as part of the Recommended Recordings of the Decade for the Smithsonian Collection of Jazz in the Seventies. During his time with Lonnie Liston Smith, Art met Teruo Nakamura when Teruo was a member of Roy Haynes' band. After hearing him play, Teruo invited Art to play on two recordings for Polydor Records, Rising Sun and Manhattan Special. Art saw in Teruo another musical direction he wanted to explore. Even though his talent had taken him around the world, Art returned home to Cincinnati from New York. He began working at the Greenwich Tavern, one of Cincinnati's premier jazz clubs. He formed the Greenwich Trio, which was the house band for five years. During that time Art was responsible for bringing to Cincinnati some of the artists he knew and performed with in New York. Since his return Art has become a leader on the Cincinnati jazz scene, and is now playing at the Blue Wisp jazz club, the oldest and most well know jazz club in the area. He has contributed his talent as a drummer and music consultant to the local recordings of WVXU Jazz-Slice of Live, William Menefield-Big Will Leaps In (J-Curve Records), and Cincinnati Jazz Collection Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (J-Curve Records). Even while working with others he has continued to create, compose, and refine his sound. Now his own musical statement is made with the release of his debut CD, Artwork. The State of Ohio in 2001 gave Art the Elliott "Elli" Mannette Outstanding Musical Innovation Award, Mr. Mannette is considered "The Father of the Modern Steelband" for his key innovations, musicianship and teaching on the steel drum. Contact Art Gore c/o: Argo Productions 1007 Dana Ave Cincinnati, OH 45207 (513) 961-3786 FAX: (513) 961-7774 art@fuse.net