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About Toby Ahrens
Current Projects The Toby Ahrens Group, performing original music inspired by jazz and world rhythms. Standards of Latin, Brazilian and jazz are also performed with unique arrangements, creating a fresh approach to harmony and rhythms. The NOVA Trio, lead by Toby Ahrens is a band that covers such artists as Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and many more. The group plays parties, weddings, corporate events and outdoor family events in San Diego, California. Other Performers Toby has had the privilege of performing with many talented musicians, including Gary Lefebvre, Peter Sprague, Karl Denson, Ruben Wilson, Melvin Sparks, Dave Liebman, Gilbert Castellanos, Darius Bruebeck (Dave Bruebeck's son), and Bowser of Sha Na Na. Toby has played with a number of San Diego bands, including Spaceman Spiff, Yavaz, The Soulnotes, The Big Mo Band, Carol Ames, The Bill Shreeve Band, The Dave Scott Jazz Ensemble, and Quino McWhinney from Big Mountain. Recordings As a composer Toby made his debut with tenor saxophonist Gerard Nolan on their self-titled c.d. "The Gerard Nolan - Toby Ahrens Quartet", which was released in August, 2003 and has received radio airplay on KSDS Jazz 88.3 in San Diego, California. He has also recorded with The Rainbow Tribe "The Bridge", Yavaz "Sea of Cortez", and The Soulnotes "One God Many Voices". Background Toby discovered his passion for drumming and music at a young age, learning piano, guitar and drums. Playing club gigs as early as age 14, Toby learned the value of playing all styles of music. In 1982, Toby joined the U.S. Navy Band, touring for nine years in Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, England, Tunisia and San Diego. He later toured with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine. Toby has studied with David Garibaldi, Dave Weckl, Jimmy Cobb, Bruce Becker, Duncan Moore, Pat Pfifner, Danlee Mitchell, John Flood, Tom Arsisto, Noel Okimoto, Mark Lamson, and Mark Bacila. Teaching Along with studying drums and percussion, Toby received his Bachelors Degree in Music and his teaching credential from San Diego State University. Currently, Toby teaches at Canyon Crest Academy High School in Carmel Valley and privately in La Mesa, California and at The Music Playce in Escondido, California. Booking Info: Toby Ahrens 619-889-6682 |
Drummer, percussionist, composer, Toby Ahrens was inspired in his early years to play guitar and piano and then later found that the drums were a better way to release all that youthful energy. Gary Ross, a neighbor who played drums, introduced Toby to the traditional grip, which translated nicely to playing on the old-school marching snare, the kind with a strap around the shoulder and metal leg brace. He marched in the middle school band circa 1975. His drum set education consisted of listening to vinyl recordings on his Kenwood turntable and mimicking drummers from bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Doobie Brothers, Grand Funk Railroad, Average White Band, Tower of Power and many pop recordings. It was in his late teens that he got introduced to all the great jazz recordings and found a new wealth of music to explore. Jazz led him to discover the deep rhythm of world music, specifically music from Cuba and Brazil. He now uses in-ear monitors and an iPod to listen to and learn music. Cool how technology made it easier to rewind the music and replay those difficult passages a 1,000 times.
