EDDIE METZ, JR. (drums), a native of Ann Arbor, MI, got an early start, when, at age 3, he was given drumsticks by a member of his father’s band. By 12, was playing his first professional gig. While still studying jazz at William Paterson College, NJ, he toured with the Count Basie Orchestra. But that was just the beginning, going on to tour with both Dorsey Orchestras, The Les & Larry Elgart Orchestra and many more as well as working with a myriad of jazz and pop entertainers not the least of which were Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, The Shirelles, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the list goes on. 1986 took Eddie to Orlando, Florida, where he spent 14 years as a full time musician at Walt Disney World, then reducing that to seasonal so that he could tour and teach.
In 1999, the Nagel-Heyer label of Hamburg, Germany, asked Eddie to lead the recording of Tough Assignment, a tribute to Dave Tough, brilliant drummer of the 30’s and 40’s. Eddie has been a member of the NCJF All-Stars several times over the years. In 2008, he teamed up with Nicki Parrott (bass & vocals) and Rossano Sportiello (piano) to create the trio you will hear this year. Together they have recorded several CD’s, the latest being Strictly Confidential.
We welcome Eddie Metz, Jr., back to the North Carolina Jazz Festival!
