Brad Schlueter | Drummer

I have been a busy jobbing drummer playing Weddings, Corporate parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and Society events since graduating from Northern Illinois University and becoming a full-time professional musician. I have worked in bands ranging in size from Jazz Duos to large Society Orchestras including many of the top bands in Chicago. I love this type of work because it requires a drummer to play so many different styles well. I have also worked extensively playing clubs and festivals in Top 40 bands and with several live karaoke bands that require a vast repertoire of songs.

Some of the bands I’ve recently been performing with include the Pete Fleming Orchestra (Wedding/Corporate), NEO Orchestra (Wedding/Corporate), Martini Lunch (Jazz/Latin), Swing Sets (Jazz/Latin), In Session Big Band (Jazz), The Dixie Downbeats (Dixieland Jazz), Johnny Rogers (50’s and 60’s Showband), Live Band Karaoke (www.LiveBandKaraoke.com), as well as a variety of rock bands. I have played and subbed in many other club and Wedding / Corporate Event bands.

I wrote the guide to general business drumming to help my peers and those playing their first jobbing gigs titled, “Here Comes The Bride - Wedding Drumming: A Crash Course” that was published by Drum! Magazine.

I use professional equipment that is chosen to be appropriate for the type of event. It varies from a small Jazz drum kit that’s great for cocktail parties, my percussion rig for acoustic, latin or low-volume gigs, or my internally miked drum set that’s perfect for larger events and high-energy party bands. This last rig may include sampling electronic trigger pads, a mixer and In Ear Monitoring system for working with click tracks and backing music. I read music well and have written well over a thousand drum charts so that I can sub on short notice.