Latin Percussionist Thaddeus Gallizzi has been performing in and around Southern California since 1974. He began his formal study of Afro-Cuban drumming and performance at age 16 with Akim Robert Davis, then Principal Drummer with the Rwanda Lewis Afro-Caribbean Dance Company of Los Angeles. At age 16, under the direction of acclaimed Percussionist and Recording Artist Bobby Matos, he became the youngest member of Matos' Los Angeles based Heritage Ensemble. Through this association, he gained further knowledge of Afro-Cuban drumming forms, while playing Conga and Bongo in the Heritage Percussion Ensemble and Afro-Latin Jazz Group. While there, Thaddeus developed his professional music skills, performing alongside Bobby and such notable artists as Pianist John Beasley and Conguero Ray Armando.
Throughout his musical pursuits, Thaddeus has balanced his passion for music with his commitment to work and family, carefully developing his style and skills on Congas, Bongo, Timbales and assorted Percussion. Performing a variety of musical styles within various groups, including distinguished work as Bongocero with Salsa Recording Artists Johnny Polanco and Hector Casanova as well as jazz Pianist and Vibraphonist Fred Ramirez.
Thaddeus has studied with such notable Percussion artists as Angel Luis Figueroa, Lazaro Galarraga, jazz drummer Frank Wilson, Luis "Changuito" Quintana, Chuck Silverman and Michael Spiro.
Thaddeus provides private instruction and is on staff at the Los Angeles based Percussion Artists Workshop (pawsmusic.com), conducting weekly percussion workshops at the DA Center for the Arts in Pomona, CA (dacenter.org).
In addition to leading the Embe!!ishment Music Project, Thaddeus performs and records in a wide variety of musical situations, including Latin Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Salsa, Gospel and Worship.
Thaddeus' musical philosophy is
"Always approach Percussion as an art form, and bring to performance positive energy with a love of life and music."
