Biography
Influenced equally by Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, and Art Blakey alongside Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell, and Keith Moon, Paul Wertico developed into a versatile drummer whose coloristic approach first earned widespread notice during his long association with Pat Metheny. Although he acquired snare-drum technique in elementary school, Wertico acquired all subsequent kit skills without formal instruction. Already working professionally in rock and jazz ensembles by fifteen, he earned a music scholarship after serving as featured soloist with the Cary-Grove High School Band. In the early 1970s he abandoned college studies and quickly established himself across Chicago’s eclectic club circuit, collaborating in performance and on record with jazz saxophonist Joe Daley, ethnomusicologist Paul Berliner, blues-rock vocalist and guitarist Ellen McIlwaine, folk singer Terry Callier, and the fusion-oriented Simon & Bard Group.
Wertico maintained parallel involvement in experimental projects, most prominently co-founding Earwax Control alongside multi-instrumentalist Jeff Czech and keyboardist Gordon James, then Spontaneous Composition with multi-reed player Rich Corpolongo and bassist Doug Lofstrom. In 1983 he succeeded Danny Gottlieb within the Pat Metheny Group, initiating a partnership that produced ten albums, seven Grammy Awards, and multiple gold certifications before Wertico departed in 2001. While still a member, he advanced several independent endeavors that later achieved visibility during the 1990s and continued to record with new-age pioneer Paul Winter, “word jazz” originator Ken Nordine, rock-fusion violinist Jerry Goodman, and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling.
Wertico issued his debut leader date, The Yin and the Yout, in 1993, drawing on an array of guest musicians. He subsequently formed the egalitarian Union Trio with pianist Laurence Hobgood and bassist Brian Torff and documented a percussion duet with Gregg Bendian. Additional ensembles under his direction included the Paul Wertico Trio—comprising guitarist John Moulder and bassist Eric Hochberg—which offered a fresh perspective on fusion. Shortly after exiting the Metheny organization, Wertico joined guitarist Larry Coryell’s trio and became a member of the storied Eastern European rock band SBB. Beyond performing, he has sustained an active parallel career as producer and as educator and clinician.
Wertico maintained parallel involvement in experimental projects, most prominently co-founding Earwax Control alongside multi-instrumentalist Jeff Czech and keyboardist Gordon James, then Spontaneous Composition with multi-reed player Rich Corpolongo and bassist Doug Lofstrom. In 1983 he succeeded Danny Gottlieb within the Pat Metheny Group, initiating a partnership that produced ten albums, seven Grammy Awards, and multiple gold certifications before Wertico departed in 2001. While still a member, he advanced several independent endeavors that later achieved visibility during the 1990s and continued to record with new-age pioneer Paul Winter, “word jazz” originator Ken Nordine, rock-fusion violinist Jerry Goodman, and jazz vocalist Kurt Elling.
Wertico issued his debut leader date, The Yin and the Yout, in 1993, drawing on an array of guest musicians. He subsequently formed the egalitarian Union Trio with pianist Laurence Hobgood and bassist Brian Torff and documented a percussion duet with Gregg Bendian. Additional ensembles under his direction included the Paul Wertico Trio—comprising guitarist John Moulder and bassist Eric Hochberg—which offered a fresh perspective on fusion. Shortly after exiting the Metheny organization, Wertico joined guitarist Larry Coryell’s trio and became a member of the storied Eastern European rock band SBB. Beyond performing, he has sustained an active parallel career as producer and as educator and clinician.
Albums
