Born: October 10, 1966 Primary Instrument: Drums
George Fludas was born in Chicago on October 10, 1966. His interest in drumming began when he was very young due to the influence of his father, who played drums and was an avid jazz fan. His father taught him the basics and frequently took George to see the great jazz drummers, such as Art Blakey, Max Roach and Buddy Rich. He majored in music at Lane Tech High School and attended Roosevelt University in 1985-86, majoring in percussion. He left school in 1987 to learn his craft first hand by playing in Chicago clubs with local greats like Von Freeman, Jodie Christian and Lin Halliday, as well as in groups with the area's top young musicians of the day, including Ron Blake, Jesse Davis, David Hazeltine, Bobby Broom, and Eric Alexander. Over the past 20 years he has performed at concert halls, festivals, and clubs throughout North America, Europe and Asia with numerous jazz greats, including Kenny Burrell, Betty Carter, Junior Cook, Lou Donaldson, Tommy Flanagan, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Eric Reed, Johnny Griffin, Roy Hargrove, Barry Harris, Hank Jones, Buddy Montgomery, David “Fathead” Newman, Nicholas Payton, Marlena Shaw, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ira Sullivan, Clark Terry, Frank Wess and Phil Woods. He was a member of legendary bassist Ray Brown's trio in 2000-2001, and toured with Diana Krall's group in 2002. In recent years he has toured extensively with Monty Alexander's trio and Jazz and Roots group, pianist Cedar Walton and vocalist Roberta Gamberini. He performs regularly in Chicago with local artists and visiting headliners at the Jazz Showcase, Andy's Jazz Club and The Green Mill. Recording credits include CDs with Ray Brown, Eric Alexander, Monty Alexander, Kyle Asche, Geof Bradfield, Bobby Broom, Scott Burns, Lin Halliday, Ira Sullivan and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra.
Lin Halliday East Of The Sun (Delmark, 1992)
Eric Alexander Straight Up (Delmark, 1992)
Bobby Broom Waitin" and Waitin' (Criss Cross, 1997) Eric Alexander Mode for Mabes (Delmark, 1997)
Ray Brown Superbass 2 (Telarc Jazz 2001)
Scorr Burns Passages (Origin , 2006)
Geof Bradfield Urban Nomad (Origin, 2008) Monty Alexander The Good Life (Chesky, 2008)
Monty Alexander Calypso Blues (Chesky, 2009)
Kyle Asche Blues For Mel (Tippin' , 2009)
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