Charlie Heim

Charlie Heim, a drummer residing in Philadelphia, is active in the busy music scene of the Delaware Valley. A founding member of Philly’s experimental rock outfit The March Hare and the jazz trio Sixtanato, Charlie’s busy schedule is augmented by his full-time attendance at the University of the Arts.

Born and raised in State College, PA, Charlie began studying music at an early age. Taking up studies originally on the piano when he was 8 years old, he quickly became enamored with the musical art form. Shortly thereafter, Charlie became introduced to the saxophone, which became a new fascination. His study of both alto and tenor saxophones, through the esteemed tutelage of Steve Bowman, led him to a deeper understanding of music in both classical and jazz idioms. Through the tenor, Charlie was exposed to extensive opportunities in which to experience music: while in high school, he was a part of an award-winning symphonic band, played with various jazz bands, and was a member of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) 2004 All-State Band. While the saxophone was for a long while his “main instrument”, he would soon find that it was not quite the right voice with which to express his musical creativity. After receiving his first drum set in 2000, it was no question where Charlie’s true passion lay. The drums called.

Inspired by the music he surrounded himself with, it did not take long for Charlie’s rhythmic voice to come to the surface. John Coltrane and Benny Goodman stood alongside Green Day and Incubus in his collection of recordings; the diversity of his early musical tastes would prove to be largely responsible for the stylistic fusion of the music he currently makes.

Life as a professional musician began in 2002, when he began performing around State College and central Pennsylvania with an assortment of jazz and rock bands. He became a member of the State College Area High School Jazz Band 1, the school’s pit orchestra for a variety of shows, and orchestra. He made several appearances with the State College Community Theatre, and was a member of Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra from 2003-2004.

Upon graduation in 2004, Charlie began attendance at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts with a Presidential Scholarship. Once there, he formed The March Hare, and joined every school ensemble within his reach. Among others, Charlie was given the opportunity to improve his drum set skills with groups like the Rick Kerber Tribute Big Band and the Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble. In the fall of 2004, he had the opportunity to play in a new production of Andrew Hanna’s (At Hand Productions) Prophecies of War. The collaboration did not end there, however, as Charlie will participate in the return performance of Prophecies of War in the summer of 2006 at Philadelphia’s Prince Music Theatre. At UArts, intensive study with drumming greats Joe Nero and Jim Paxson opened new doors, and imbued Charlie’s playing with heightened musicality and technical ability. He was able to further hone these skills while playing with Hanna's ensembles, and with his exploration of the use of the drums in other artistic media. In his work with peers from the UArts Theater Department, Charlie was able to explore the improvisational capabilities of the instrument in conjunction with actors and stage dialogue. The most recent example of such a project was seen during UArts' trip to Liverpool, England in 2006, when Charlie performed with actor Paul Felder and dancer Andrea Siekavizza in a stirring rendition of Sam Shepard's Tongues.

Since then, Charlie has had the pleasure of working and playing with a number of talented artists. Revisiting the State College scene, Charlie enjoyed a stint with the local favorite classic rock act, Marshall Blue, in the summer of 2005. In the summer of 2006, Charlie began a collaborative relationship with the acoustic powerhouse Mountain Man. Since then, he’s appeared with the group in clubs throughout the Philadelphia area, on various radio shows, and even a soon-to-be-released music video. Also during that summer, Charlie had the pleasure to work with talented songstress Ami Verrill, whom he continues to perform regularly with.

Charlie continues to heighten his skills as an educator. A large part of his musical life, he continues work toward a Masters degree in Music Education at The University of the Arts. Since the summer of 2006, he has been a teacher at the Bluebond Music School. His employment there has allowed him to work not only with drum students on a private instruction level, but also to play with and help instruct the school’s student bands. It has, and continues to be, an invaluable resource to his growing educational career. Most recently, Charlie enjoyed his position on the teaching staff of the Penn State University Summer Jazz Camp. There he taught master classes, directed bands, and gave private instruction to aspiring jazz drummers.

Since the very beginning, Charlie has been dedicated to the creation of a new voice for the drum set. His goal has been to liberate the drums from their traditional role as a mere time keeper. This way of thinking led him to the playing of Elvin Jones, his greatest influence and musical mentor. Jones' approach to the drum set as a single instrument - not just a collection of "tubs" and "plates," - spurred on Charlie's artistic vision. Through the intensive study of improvisational music, Charlie began to invent his own sound; his own means of instrumental liberation. Come to a performance, and be prepared to experience something special. Show less