Steve DiStanislao

Steve "Stevie D." DiStanislao born 1963, is an American drummer, vocalist and record producer.^[1]

His career has included work with luminary artists such as David Gilmour, Crosby/Nash, Kenny Loggins, Don Felder, David Crosby and CPR, Paul Anka, Chris Robinson & The New Earth Mud (singer with Black Crowes), The Carl Verheyen Band, Loggins & Messina, Joe Walsh, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Richard Sherman (Disney's Sherman Bros.) and many more. He and bassist/vocalist Shem von Shroeck have formed a new band called "The Apex" in which the team collaborate on all aspects of the productions. He also plays jazz with Lit By Fireflies (jazz quartet; piano:James Raymond, bass:Andrew Ford, saxophone:Steve Tavaglione).

Stevie is the owner of SDE Enterprises and is the creator of the drum accessory product "The Stick Hammock"

When asked about DiStanislao, David Crosby relates, "Technically and artistically, Stevie's the best I've ever played with. It's because he "gets it." He doesn't just play the drums, he plays the song." Crosby believes that there are two types of drummers, "Groove drummers and flash drummers. Stevie is a groove drummer. He's friendly, not an egotist, and curious, and he wants to learn. This is what makes him a pleasure to work with."

David Gilmour

DiStanislao toured and recorded with Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, promoting his solo album On an Island. The touring band featured Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright and occasional Floyd collaborator Dick Parry on saxophones. Also featured were long-time Gilmour collaborators Guy Pratt on bass and Jon Carin on keyboards, lap steel and vocals as well as Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera on guitars and vocals, who also co-produced On an Island.

The tour included three nights at the Royal Albert Hall with special guests David Bowie, Crosby & Nash, Robert Wyatt, Mica Paris and Nick Mason. Other performances took place in St. Mark's Square in Venice.

The last official show of the tour took place in Gdańsk, Poland where the band were joined by conductor Zbigniew Preisner and The Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra, to celebrate the 26th anniversary of Solidarity of the Shipyard Worker's Union in Gdańsk. Over 55,000 fans turned out for this concert. The show was documented on Gilmour's live album Live in Gdańsk (2008).

In January 2007 DiStanislao, along with Guy Pratt and Richard Wright joined Gilmour at his barn at his home is Sussex, England for a series of jamming sessions. The sessions consisted of the band playing instrumental material composed by Gilmour. These instrumental pieces are known as the Barn Jams; three of which appear on the 4-disc edition and deluxe edition of Live in Gdańsk and four more a due to appear on Rattle That Lock.

DiStanislao also appears on Gilmour's upcoming Rattle That Lock (2015) album, on the title track, "Rattle That Lock".

References