Nick was Loved by many, he left the memories of his talent to all. Through his teaching, loving & playing of his Drums. Which is played & loved by many still.
Nick Ceroli, a veteran drummer equally comfortable driving the raucous rhythm section of Stan Kenton's big band or quietly accompanying a trio led by guitarist Barney Kessel
He studied at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music before joining Ray Anthony's band in the late 1950s. He later worked with Lionel Hampton, Terry Gibbs and Kenton, before joining Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass in 1965.
He left that group after five years and toured with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme and Vikki Carr. He appeared periodically on "The Tonight Show" and performed regularly with the Mort Lindsey orchestra on "The Merv Griffin Show."
Most recently he had done studio work with the bands of Zoot Sims, Bob Florence, Dee Barton and Don Menza. His last public appearance was with Barney Kessel at the Sunset Hyatt.
Although adept in all settings, Ceroli's early career marked him out as a big band drummer. In the early '60s he worked with Ray Anthony and Gerald Wilson before joining Stan Kenton's LA Neophonic Orchestra in 1965. For the next four years he was with Herb Alpert's Tijuana Brass but then settled in Los Angeles, where he was soon in demand as a studio musician and also in a wide range of jazz groups for club and recording dates.
Among the musicians eager to hire him for small group work were Zoot Sims, Richie Kamuca, Warne Marsh, Pete Christlieb (with whom he recorded a sizzling performance at a Los Angeles club, Dino's, in 1983) and Bill Berry.
Plus the lovely Julie Andrews...... who he was so honored to accompany.
Also Nick & his dear friend Ray Brown , bass player, were both choosen to play along side Dudley Moore at the Hollywood Bowl.
Truly, it was Nick's experience, skill & true love , in big band music, that drew him inevitably into that area of performing, and his association with Bob Florence produced some of the finest big band jazz of the late '70s and early '80s. His playing on Party Hearty on Florence's CONCERTS BY THE SEA album is an object lesson for all aspiring big band drummers.
Ceroli's interest in all kinds of music was comprehensive; he owned a huge record collection of music by Beethoven and Duke Ellington, and he communicated his enthusiasm through his playing. A fluid, supple drummer, Ceroli gave a tremendous lift to any band he worked with. His death in 1985 came when he was still very much in his prime.
