Session Drummer, Bloomsbury NJ

As an artist influenced by American, world, and folk music, Eric Amadeo is currently broadening his musical vocabulary and versatility drumming for the regularly-performing all 80’s cover band Amethyst (www.amethyst80s.com), as well as recording and performing with a broad range of artists throughout the New Jersey area. Born and raised in New Jersey to an Italian father and a Spanish and Lithuanian mother, Amadeo has been submerged since birth in the cultural-folk influences of a diverse European, Mediterranean and South American backdrop, blended with the emergence of the Rock and Roll revolution lived by his parents.

“He can play anything,” was the recommendation of Nicole LaFleur, Director of Education for the American Repertory Ballet. This reference is what offered Eric Amadeo the opportunity to write and perform a 5 plus minute solo rhythmic accompaniment interpreted live by 25 dancers, for a two night showcase called “Rider Dances With The Band” (www.rider.edu/16195_9665.htm). It was years of live performances and open microphone nights, sitting-in with anyone who wanted drum-backing, that made this such an easy transition. This is only one of many performance opportunities that showcase the musicality of Eric Amadeo. By accompanying singer songwriters like Tom Vella, Arnie Baird, Eric Ginsberg, Rick Krueger, and Andrew Lee Rubinger, performing with Indie bands such as Logs in the Mainstream, Bustercox, and The Wayside, being included in the Frankensound Studios (www.frankensound.com) stable of session musicians, and even being the drummer for the New Jersey 101.5 Radio spot, Amadeo has been laying the foundation for a working drummer’s portfolio.

As a precursor to a solo artist’s career, Eric Amadeo released a single in 2007 called “Molly Rocket” that was selected for Quickstar Productions’ Chill-Out East Coast Edition Vol. 10 compilation, now available for download through iTunes among others. Amadeo wrote and recorded the song himself, playing all of the instruments as well as performing the lead and background vocals. Developing an even deeper musical vocabulary has been his main focus with one end in mind; to release his first solo album and develop a library of material to perform and share. Always enamored with the hum and life of acoustic instruments, Eric Amadeo has his eyes trained on the acoustic band prize. “Once the first album is complete, it’s time to build the band” he says. It’s time to build the band. That resonates.

“You’ve got great instincts” says Andrew Lee Rubinger, as they scratch-track some ideas for a new song Rubinger wrote. That seems to say it all with Eric. He is always musical as a drummer and song-centric as a collaborator. Like a flashy Latin-inspired Ringo Star he looks to fit in the right spots, and like Mick Fleetwood stay in the mighty pocket. Look for great things from Eric Amadeo over his career arc… the sounds he calls from his drums are guaranteed make you move.