Steve Fitch
Steve Fitch is known for the breadth and comprehensiveness of his percussive activities. He studied percussion at the Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music with Professors Michael Rosen and John Beck. As percussionist/associate principal timpanist and drum set artist, he has performed with the Phoenix Symphony for over thirty years.
In Europe, Steve has recorded and toured twice with the North German Radio Orchestra (Hannover), performing with Al Jarreau, Ray Charles, Bobby McFerrin, and Patricia Kaas. He has also toured and recorded with the Kalamazoo Percussion Trio throughout Germany.
Back in the day, Steve marched in DCI Finals and placed sixth in the DCI Individual snare drum competition. Mr. Fitch is also the principal percussionist with the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, where he works with fine players from this country’s top orchestras.
Steve has served as the drummer for many of Phoenix’s great Big Bands including the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Extreme Decibel Big Band, and the GCC Night Band. He has drummed for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Natalie Merchant, Andrea Bocelli, John Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, the Canadian Brass, the Indigo Girls, Keb Mo, Storm Large, Jason Alexander, Chris Walden, Bill Cunliffe, Tom Scott, Jim Witter, Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Ann Hampton Calloway, Megan Hilty, Matt Morrison, Cheyenne Jackson, Nicole Parker, Alfie Boe, Gary Foster, Seamus Blake, Scott Whitfield, Betsy Bishop, Mike Crotty, Dennis Rowland, Carl Saunders, Eric Marienthal, Wycliffe Gordon, Kristen Chenowith, Lisa Vroman, Rick Faugno and many others.
Steve has taught for 7 years at the Festival of Young Artists in Bayreuth Germany where he presented his workshop on Ultimate Stick Control/Intuitive Touch and is presently on the faculty at Grand Canyon University. He has written the books, FANTASTIC HANDS (Mel Bay), FANTASTIC FEET (Mel Bay), FLAM PATHWAYS (Amazon.com), DRUM SET FREEDOM (Amazon.com), TOM TWISTERS (new), ADVANCED SWING SYSTEMS (new), and SHORT STORIES for SNARE DRUM (new). His percussion and timpani compositions are available through C. Alan Publications and Musikverlag Zimmermann.
Steve endorses Yamaha, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo, and Grover Pro Percussion.
Steve is fluent in German and lives with his wife, Petra and lots of furry creatures in Glendale, Arizona.
