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A drummer of many styles, Chris enjoys playing Progressive Metal, Heavy Metal, Rock, Classic Rock, and Fusion. Since joining the High Tops, Chris has been lucky enough to form strong new friendships with his band mates and play around much of Western Massachusetts and Connecticut.

 

CJ started drumming at three years old when his brother Ryan began learning drum set and drumming for his high school’s marching band. Ryan would go on to teach and mentor CJ throughout grade school and eventually CJ joined the High School Marching Band Drum Line in 8th grade playing bass 1. He would eventually end up playing all three marching percussion instruments (Snare, Tenors/Quads/Bass) and even became Co-Section Leader in his Senior year.  Outside of Marching Band season, Chris was a part of the Concert Band and Jazz Band playing Bass Trombone and was part of the Indoor Percussion Group.

 

After high school, Chris attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and played with the award-winning UMass Minuteman Marching Band Drumline as a tenor player under the direction of Thom Hannum. After a year in the UMass Drumline, Chris realized that his true passion lay in playing drum set. He then began lessons with renowned artist and session drummer Thomas Giampietro (Jazz Drum Set Professor at UMass Amherst) and local drummer Ed Dupont (drummer for 80's cover band Aquanett). These marked CJ's first drum lessons outside of Ryan and marching band. If it weren't for Thom G. and Ed, CJ would never have been ready for the High Tops!

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Chris is now a full time "IT Guy" and also plays in two different groups, Moose and the High Tops, 7 Bridges Road. He survives both jobs with the love from his son and  wife. "She encourages me everyday to be the best person I can be both at my job and with my music. I cannot ask for a better life partner!"​

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Pages: Please feel free to check out CJ's music on his Facebook page and YouTube channel.

 

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