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percussive home of... "JoKin" Jon Kinsting |
I began my journey into the world of drumming at age 10 (end of 5th grade), it has been my passion ever since.
At first my drumming world was all about a simple drum pad, nightly practicing, and then gathering with the band director for our drum group rehearsals. It's safe to say that I was absolutely the worst of our little group of 3, but that didn't deter me. I loved the "struggle" -- although how can a pursuit you're loving be a struggle? -- and, over time, worked my way up to the "top" slot (small pyramid). Eventually we graduated from the drum pads to a real, actual snare drum. In those days, the drumheads were all calfskin and I believe that the snare "wires" were individual strands of gut. Our snare drum was pretty beat-up, but to me it's as if was made out of solid GOLD. Loved it.
At first my drumming world was all about a simple drum pad, nightly practicing, and then gathering with the band director for our drum group rehearsals. It's safe to say that I was absolutely the worst of our little group of 3, but that didn't deter me. I loved the "struggle" -- although how can a pursuit you're loving be a struggle? -- and, over time, worked my way up to the "top" slot (small pyramid). Eventually we graduated from the drum pads to a real, actual snare drum. In those days, the drumheads were all calfskin and I believe that the snare "wires" were individual strands of gut. Our snare drum was pretty beat-up, but to me it's as if was made out of solid GOLD. Loved it.
Moving on to junior high school was a real adventure.
In addition to moving into a real concert band and having better instruments to play,
I was contacted -- right "out of the blue" -- by a kid a grade ahead of me named Carter Hatfield.
He was a trumpet player, had a piano player buddy named Jim Perin, and heard through the grapevine that I was a drummer.
He explained that he and Jim were in search of a drummer for their trio and, thus, the JJC Trio (Jim, Jon, and Carter) was born.
I was thrilled (especially since my name wasn't last in the billing). I was in my first musical group.
Jim and Carter were all about jazz and, to my surprise, very "old-timey" jazz (Bix Beiderbeck, Louis Armstrong, etc). We immersed ourselves in this music and spent non-playing hours at the local GoodWill stores, search for old 78 records. The JJC Trio would soon morph into a real "play-for-pay" organization. I couldn't have been happier.
Jim and Carter were all about jazz and, to my surprise, very "old-timey" jazz (Bix Beiderbeck, Louis Armstrong, etc). We immersed ourselves in this music and spent non-playing hours at the local GoodWill stores, search for old 78 records. The JJC Trio would soon morph into a real "play-for-pay" organization. I couldn't have been happier.
My junior high experience went very well, although as a super shy kid my social life was a struggle.
Music was my salvation and I poured "my all" into my music and drumming.
I viewed practice not as an obligation but as an opportunity. I started drum lessons with Mr. Kyle Wilson and was hooked.
I enjoyed my JJC Trio, practicing my own drumming skills, and of course playing with the school's concert band.
In fact, it was in this concert band -- and specifically at the conclusion of our final concert of our junior high years --
that I experienced my first life-changing moment.
At the end of that concert the annual "best/most deserving" student musician would be chosen to receive an all-expenses-paid scholarship to the ... NATIONAL INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY in Interlochen, Michigan. I almost fainted when -- to my ULTIMATE shock -- my name was announced. Being thrust into the Interlochen experience and environment -- among some of the best student musicians in the nation -- was humbling, thrilling, life-changing. [As a side note, I recently returned to Interlochen and walked on what I now consider "sacred ground", taking it all in. It was a genuinely emotional moment for me.]
At the end of that concert the annual "best/most deserving" student musician would be chosen to receive an all-expenses-paid scholarship to the ... NATIONAL INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY in Interlochen, Michigan. I almost fainted when -- to my ULTIMATE shock -- my name was announced. Being thrust into the Interlochen experience and environment -- among some of the best student musicians in the nation -- was humbling, thrilling, life-changing. [As a side note, I recently returned to Interlochen and walked on what I now consider "sacred ground", taking it all in. It was a genuinely emotional moment for me.]
Coming back from my Summer experience at Interlochen and beginning senior high school, I was ready to take my drumming to the
"next level". I had moved on to a new teacher -- Alfonso "Moe" Davino -- and had increased my level of practice.
Senior high school offered me so much in terms of expanding my musical horizons. Yes, I was in marching band (drum section leader and resident geek).
I was in both concert band and orchestra. I participated in pretty much every variety show and musical as pit band member.
My involvement in the JJC Trio increased and we were even starting to play (paying) gigs and attend the regular weekend jam sessions at Pleasant View (bar) on Paw Paw Lake in Coloma, Michigan. Through my junior high band director, Larry Ernst, I began playing local venues -- like Elks Club, Moose Lodge, Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, etc -- with Larry and his trio or quartet. Also I was getting gigs with other band directors and local musicians for similar venues. Occasionally, I would have to be "snuck in the back door" due to my age and local liquor laws.
Jim, Carter and I even joined the local musicians union, attending absolutely every monthly meeting. We showed up in the same attire each meeting -- our seersucker jackets and slacks. My own private teaching practice was thriving. Those were good years.
My involvement in the JJC Trio increased and we were even starting to play (paying) gigs and attend the regular weekend jam sessions at Pleasant View (bar) on Paw Paw Lake in Coloma, Michigan. Through my junior high band director, Larry Ernst, I began playing local venues -- like Elks Club, Moose Lodge, Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, etc -- with Larry and his trio or quartet. Also I was getting gigs with other band directors and local musicians for similar venues. Occasionally, I would have to be "snuck in the back door" due to my age and local liquor laws.
Jim, Carter and I even joined the local musicians union, attending absolutely every monthly meeting. We showed up in the same attire each meeting -- our seersucker jackets and slacks. My own private teaching practice was thriving. Those were good years.
After graduation I went on to attend Lake Michigan College for 2 years. Although I majored in mathematics, I was a member of
the jazz lab band there, under the direction of Ed Bagatini. A nice experience. Immersion into big-band jazz playing. I continued
playing locally and started up with several horn bands doing covers of Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears.
After my stint at LMC, I moved on to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was at Western that I once again widened my scope of musicians with whom I played. While my major was still mathematics -- and that is what my degree is in -- I spent a LOT of time in the music building and playing in the auditorium. I was first-chair (lead) drummer in the WMU Jazz Lab Band under the directorship of Bobby Davidson. Interestingly, also in this band -- in addition to my old friend Carter (from JJC days) -- there was a female singer by the name of Diane Steinberg. She would go on to co-star in the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (as Lucy). Also in the band -- as my back-up/understudy -- was none other than Michael Walden. Now he is known as Narada Michael Walden, world-reknown record producer (Aretha Franklin, Mariah, Carey, etc.) and drummer (Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc.).
After my stint at LMC, I moved on to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was at Western that I once again widened my scope of musicians with whom I played. While my major was still mathematics -- and that is what my degree is in -- I spent a LOT of time in the music building and playing in the auditorium. I was first-chair (lead) drummer in the WMU Jazz Lab Band under the directorship of Bobby Davidson. Interestingly, also in this band -- in addition to my old friend Carter (from JJC days) -- there was a female singer by the name of Diane Steinberg. She would go on to co-star in the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (as Lucy). Also in the band -- as my back-up/understudy -- was none other than Michael Walden. Now he is known as Narada Michael Walden, world-reknown record producer (Aretha Franklin, Mariah, Carey, etc.) and drummer (Jeff Beck, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc.).
After graduating Magna Cum Laude from WMU, I entered what I characterize as my "years of floundering". Yes, I was
playing gigs locally. Yes, my private teaching practice was thriving. However, I began a "real" job at Heathkit Corporation,
and was basically struggling with the ultimate decision of whether to go 100% into music/drumming or let that endeavor take a
back seat to the technical career I trained for at the university. I played in a number of cover bands -- Midwest, Cabbages and Kings,
21st Century, etc. -- and even did some studio recording work for Bill Scheuneman, recording radio commercials for Chicago-based
businesses. Was this going to be enough to sustain my musical career?
After a number of these "floundering" years, I'd had enough. I decided to move out to California's Silicon Valley (San Francisco Bay Area) and go 100% into my technical career.
After a number of these "floundering" years, I'd had enough. I decided to move out to California's Silicon Valley (San Francisco Bay Area) and go 100% into my technical career.
There is not a whole lot to say here about my career -- as a Computer Scientist -- in California. I had a quite successful
career for 36 years, until my retirement. If you would like to check out more about my Silicon Valley career, please go to
http://www.kinstingcreations.com.
After retirement, I decided to move back to my hometown of St. Joseph, Michigan. I pretty much left my technical world behind
aside from diving into web development (for my own projects) and dealing with technical issues for my YouTube videos.