The Steve Picataggio Interview

The Four Phantoms, Wicked Divas, Lesli Margherita, The Hot Sardines, Suzi Shelton, and More

Episode Highlights:

• Early Inspirations: Find out how Steve’s older brother got him hooked on drumming.

• Jazz and Beyond: Learn how Steve expanded his musical tastes from pure jazz to include pop-punk and Broadway tunes.

• Starting Out: Hear about Steve’s first drumming experiences, including summer music camp and high school bands.

• Making It in NYC: Get tips on navigating the New York music scene, from taking the subway with drums to finding the right gigs.

• Balancing Act: Steve talks about juggling his professional music career with personal enjoyment and family time.

• Theater Drumming: Discover what it’s like to play in cabaret gigs, jazz bands, and touring shows like Four Phantoms and Wicked Divas.

• Touring Tips: Steve shares practical advice for drummers on the road, including packing smart and staying organized.

Take some time out to hear Steve Picataggio’s inspiring journey and get practical tips for making it as a theater drummer. This episode is full of great stories and useful advice that you won’t want to miss!

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Steve Picataggio is a professional drummer and educator in New York City from Coral Springs, Florida. From the age of ten, Steve immersed himself in classical percussion, marching drumlines, pit orchestras and big band jazz ensembles. 

He then made the commitment to study with world-renown jazz drummer Danny Gottlieb at the University of North Florida. There he had the opportunity to learn the extensive hand techniques originated by Joe Morello. He focused on the history of jazz drummers, most notably Mel Lewis and his influence on big band drumming. As well as the drummers of Count Basie and gravitated towards small group drummers such as Shelly Manne, Philly Joe Jones, Jimmy Cobb, Ben Riley and Ed Thigpen. 

During his time in Jacksonville, Steve met Ulysses Owens Jr. a native Floridian and NYC based jazz drummer. For five years Owens mentored Steve on drums and the music industry. Under Ulysses’ guidance, Steve expanded his musical knowledge and mindset and was given the tools required to be a successful musician in New York.

This mentorship jump started Steve’s journey to New York City in 2011, where he studied with Billy Drummond at New York University Steinhardt School of Music while pursuing his Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance. 

After graduating from NYU in 2013, Steve Picataggio began a professional career as a bandleader and sideman. He has performed at The Blue Note Jazz Club, Birdland, The Kitano, The Bar Next Door and Feinstein’s 54 Below. 

His debut record Two Feet on the Ground features original compositions and arrangements and is available on iTunes and CD Baby. 

He performs regularly in New York with jazz and Broadway singers, straight ahead jazz small groups, big bands, cabaret, and musical theatre shows. Steve has also toured the US performing with the jazz group The Hot Sardines.

In 2018, Steve began playing drums for Suzi Shelton, an award winning children’s music singer/songwriter. Performances include Outreach morning concerts for the Brooklyn Public Schools, Fort Greene Music Festival, Madison Square Park Summer Festival, Brookfield Place and The Levitt Pavilion in Westport, Connecticut. He also played in Suzi’s band for a performance and interview on Kids Place Live at the Sirius XM Radio Studios in Washington, DC. 

Steve has been the drummer for Broadway’s Lesli Margherita since 2013 and appears on her record Rule Your Kingdom: Live at 54 Below (Broadway Records), All Hail The Queen (Feinstein’s 54 Below) and Broad (Birdland Jazz Club).  He also plays drums for Wicked Divas, a cabaret show featuring current and former actors from Wicked.

He has played the Off-Broadway shows Under The Bodhi Tree (Royal Family Theater) and About Love (Sheen Center). Currently, Steve is the drummer with Four Phantoms in Concert. A touring performance featuring former actors from the Broadway production.

As an educator Steve has created and established a unique curriculum for all groups including beginners (age four), intermediate, advanced young teens, college students and adults. His philosophy and passion for teaching has proven successful and he currently teaches over 40 students throughout the New York City and New Jersey areas. He has created individualized in-person and online lessons in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, Los Angeles and parts of Europe. 

Steve Picataggio is on faculty at The British International School of New York, The Grace Church School and is the Adjunct Drumset Professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Steve Picataggio is endorsed by Vic Firth Drumsticks and Zildjian Cymbals.

Clayton Craddock is the founder of Broadway Drumming 101, a comprehensive online platform dedicated to providing specialized mentorship and a meticulously curated collection of resources.

Clayton’s Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include: tick, tick...BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill, and Ain't Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations, Cats: The Jellicle Ball and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical. He has subbed for shows like Motown, Evita, Cats, Avenue Q, The Color Purple, Rent, Spongebob Squarepants - The Musical, Hadestown (tour), and many more. Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, the TONY Awards, and performed with legends like The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Mario Cantone, Laura Benanti, Kristin Chenoweth, Kerry Butler, Christian Boyle, Norm Lewis, Denise Williams, Chuck Berry, and Ben E. King.

Clayton is a proud endorser of Ahead Drum Cases, Paiste Cymbals, Innovative Percussion drumsticks, and Empire Ears.

For more about Clayton Craddock, click here: www.claytoncraddock.com

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