Steve Fidyk
Renowned for his nuanced touch, versatility, and musical depth, jazz drummer Steve Fidyk has earned national and international acclaim as a performer, educator, author, and columnist. His second album as a leader, Allied Forces (2016), showcases a dynamic lineup featuring tenor saxophonist Doug Webb, alto saxophonist Joseph Henson, guitarist Shawn Purcell, and organist Brian Charette, delivering a compelling, hard-hitting melodic message.
Fidyk’s musical journey began early, with his father John Fidyk—a tenor saxophonist active throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania—taking him to gigs as a substitute drummer at just eight years old. Encouraged by his family, Fidyk pursued music passionately through high school and earned a degree in music education from Wilkes University. There, he performed in the big band under Bob Wilbur and Tom Heinze, immersing himself in the sounds of legendary big bands led by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich—whose live performance left a lasting impression on young Fidyk.
In 1987, after witnessing his performance with the Mansfield State College big band, legendary drummer Joe Morello took Fidyk under his wing. Morello’s mentorship profoundly shaped Fidyk’s technique, sound production, coordination, and overall artistic approach, as well as honing his articulate teaching skills—a commitment to education that Fidyk has carried throughout his career.
Currently, Fidyk serves on the jazz studies faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia and acts as a consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Program. He is the author of several influential drum method books and DVDs published by Mel Bay and Alfred Publications. As a respected voice in the drumming community, Fidyk regularly contributes to Modern Drummer magazine and Teaching Music magazine.
With over 100 recordings to his credit, Fidyk’s discography as co-leader includes Big Kids with John DeSalme and two albums with The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band: A Perfect Match (2003) and Live at Blues Alley (2006). His debut as a bandleader, Heads Up! (Posi-Tone, 2014), featured notable guests Terell Stafford and Tim Warfield.
Fidyk’s performance resume spans a broad range of jazz and popular music icons, including Wayne Bergeron, John Clayton, Mark Taylor, Wycliffe Gordon, Tim Hagans, Slide Hampton, Maureen McGovern, New York Voices, Dick Oates, Arturo Sandoval, and Doc Severinsen. He has also accompanied Maureen McGovern in performances with orchestras across the U.S., including The Cincinnati Pops, Spokane Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony, and on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Big Band.
Renowned for his nuanced touch, versatility, and musical depth, jazz drummer Steve Fidyk has earned national and international acclaim as a performer, educator, author, and columnist. His second album as a leader, Allied Forces (2016), showcases a dynamic lineup featuring tenor saxophonist Doug Webb, alto saxophonist Joseph Henson, guitarist Shawn Purcell, and organist Brian Charette, delivering a compelling, hard-hitting melodic message.
Fidyk’s musical journey began early, with his father John Fidyk—a tenor saxophonist active throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania—taking him to gigs as a substitute drummer at just eight years old. Encouraged by his family, Fidyk pursued music passionately through high school and earned a degree in music education from Wilkes University. There, he performed in the big band under Bob Wilbur and Tom Heinze, immersing himself in the sounds of legendary big bands led by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich—whose live performance left a lasting impression on young Fidyk.
In 1987, after witnessing his performance with the Mansfield State College big band, legendary drummer Joe Morello took Fidyk under his wing. Morello’s mentorship profoundly shaped Fidyk’s technique, sound production, coordination, and overall artistic approach, as well as honing his articulate teaching skills—a commitment to education that Fidyk has carried throughout his career.
Currently, Fidyk serves on the jazz studies faculty at Temple University in Philadelphia and acts as a consultant for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Essentially Ellington Program. He is the author of several influential drum method books and DVDs published by Mel Bay and Alfred Publications. As a respected voice in the drumming community, Fidyk regularly contributes to Modern Drummer magazine and Teaching Music magazine.
With over 100 recordings to his credit, Fidyk’s discography as co-leader includes Big Kids with John DeSalme and two albums with The Taylor/Fidyk Big Band: A Perfect Match (2003) and Live at Blues Alley (2006). His debut as a bandleader, Heads Up! (Posi-Tone, 2014), featured notable guests Terell Stafford and Tim Warfield.
Fidyk’s performance resume spans a broad range of jazz and popular music icons, including Wayne Bergeron, John Clayton, Mark Taylor, Wycliffe Gordon, Tim Hagans, Slide Hampton, Maureen McGovern, New York Voices, Dick Oates, Arturo Sandoval, and Doc Severinsen. He has also accompanied Maureen McGovern in performances with orchestras across the U.S., including The Cincinnati Pops, Spokane Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony, and on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Big Band.