Q&A with Jazz Drummer and Faculty Member Marko Marcinko

Marko Marcinko is so busy, he can't miss a beat lest he lose the rhythm. The Penn State School of Music's director of jazz studies and accomplished drummer crisscrosses the Keystone State to fulfill his duties as full-time faculty member, professional musician, band leader, jazz festival organizer and nonprofit founder.

He has performed with a musician's who's who, including Paquito D'Rivera, Joe Henderson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Michael Brecker, John Legend, Joe Lovano, Kurt Elling, Clay Aiken and Connie Francis. He even landed a multiyear touring and recording engagement with jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau band.

He now performs weekly in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area with The Marko Marcinko Jazz Quartet and the Ruth's Chris Jazz Trio, as well as numerous gigs with Music for Models and The Organik Vibe Trio.

Marcinko took time to share some insight on how to theoretically approach a drum kit. And, for the record, there's no such thing as a right- or left-handed drummer.

Full Q&A, by Heather Longley, Center for the Performing Arts