Alan Silverman

YEAR: Third

MAJOR: Jazz Studies

HOMETOWN: Greenlawn, N.Y.

What is your instrument of choice? Why?

My main instrument is the drums. I’ve been playing it for almost 10 years now. I mess around on piano, too. It was random though, I was in sixth grade and  I remember the moment I decided to take drum lessons, I was riding home from school and was like, “Mom, I want to take drum lessons.” Something about the instrument drew me to it. Maybe like the primal nature or something.

Who are you currently listening to?

Tortoise, Bill Frisell.

Who are your main influences?

Jon Bonham was my first influence – he’s kind of like a powerhouse and the Energizer Bunny. He keeps a beat almost relentlessly. Nowadays I’m listening to a lot of jazz drummers like Max Roach and Roy Haynes, and my teacher, Jeff Siegel.

What are you involved in on/off-campus that is music related?

I play shows around town with Harmologna, The Notion Stompers, The Red and Black Quartet, Los Prostetos, RPG to the G-Spot. There’s also the jazz ensemble that I have to take six semesters of.

What will you do with your degree?

I would like to travel the world, ideally. And play music.