Angelo Christian Miceli, fondly known as “Crisco”, was literally born on the road while touring with his father’s classic rock band. He fell in love with drums at the ripe age of three when he discovered how much noise he could produce playing them. Though self taught early on, in order to feed his drumming obsession, Crisco has studied percussive styles both personally and professionally including jazz, rock, R&B, marching percussion, funk, and heavy metal. He currently tours the world with popular Celtic-Rock band Seven Nations, as well as many other International artists such as The Stepcrew (Canadian Dance Production) and The Family Crest (Orchestral Pop Band). Crisco brings over 30 years of playing experience and 20 years of full time touring tips and tricks into his teaching. New to California, Crisco looks forward to working with the great folks at Dubs Drum Basement and spreading the joy of drumming to all the new drummers in the Bay Area.
Michael Hughes was born in 1984 and began playing the drums at age 8. He grew up in the East Bay in a musically active family and began playing in bands at a very young age. In 2003 he attended LA Music Academy (now known as Los Angeles College of Music) and studied under Joe Porcaro and Ralph Humphrey. From 2005-2011, Michael worked as an ensemble musician and teacher for LA Music Academy. He also worked as a freelance musician during his time in L.A. and got to work with many world class musicians and songwriters including Frank Gambale, Robben Ford, Majek Fashek, George Krikes, Jane Carey and many others.
In 2011, Michael returned to the Bay Area to focus more on teaching, gigging and starting a family. He is the house drummer for Wide Hive Records in Berkeley and has been working with Gregory Howe (Producer/Musician) on many projects for the last several years. Michael played drums on the late great Larry Coryell’s album “Heavy Feel” in 2015 and several “Throttle Elevator Music” records featuring Kamasi Washington. In 2016, he did a fall tour with Jason Newsted (former bassist of Metallica) and his ChopHouse Band.
Michael has been happily married since 2013 and has 2 beautiful daughters. He is currently the Music Director at Canyon Creek Church in San Ramon as well as the head drum instructor for Soundwall Rock Camp in Santa Cruz.
John R. Burr is that rare pianist who combines jazz technique with a genuine love for folk music. The Philadelphia Weekly said, “Pianist extraordinaire John R. Burr has the most sparkling style since former Allman Brother-turned-Rolling Stone hired hand Chuck Leavell.” Discology wrote, “John R. Burr ranks with the best of the elegant jazzers.”
Burr was first drawn to the piano at the age of 10 when he heard Vince Guaraldi’s playing on the Peanut’s animated TV specials. He started out as a child prodigy drummer; he was the only child out of 5 siblings not forced to study the piano. It wasn’t until he was in high school that his focus turned to the keyboard. He then discovered that there were too many drummers to compete with and the piano became his instrument of choice.