About Peter
Born and raised in South Florida, Pete "Chef" Lavezzoli, known for his signature style of combining old-school rock and R&B backbeats with a progressive rock and jazz edge, is the full-time touring drummer for Melvin Seals & the Jerry Garcia Band. Currently, he also performs with guitarist-singer-songwriter Bobby Lee Rodgers (Code Talkers, Colonel Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit) in both his Jazz and Indie Rock projects. Peter has also recorded and performed with singer-songwriter Teri Catlin.

Showing his versatility, Lavezzoli is often recruited by internationally prominent Blues guitarist-singer-songwriter and Blues Music Award nominee Albert Castiglia (Junior Wells, Sandra Hall) for a selection of dates. Recently, Lavezzoli joined Castiglia for dates throughout the Midwest and Canada in support of Castiglia's album "Keepin' On" released on Blues Leaf Records in 2010.

Fresh out of the studio from his latest project, Lavezzoli lent his talents behind the kit recording drum tracks at George Noriega's Cutting Cane Studios on Bobby Lee Rodgers' recently released record "BLR." Highlighting his proficiency in several genres through various collaborations with noted rock, blues, and jazz artists, Lavezzoli is rising quickly as one of the industry's most in-demand musicians for both live performances and session work.

In the words of Grammy-winning producer/composer George Noriega: "I had the pleasure of having Peter Lavezzoli record at Cutting Cane Studios, and felt his unbelievable pocket first hand. Peter has that rare combination of skill, feel, and sensitivity. His playing is always just what is called for by the singer, the song, and the groove. Not too hot, not too cold. Pete's drumming is just right."

In the early '90s Lavezzoli helped found Florida's premiere Grateful Dead tribute band Crazy Fingers, where he continues his roles as both drummer and lead vocalist for the band. For over 20 years, Crazy Fingers has performed at venues and festivals throughout their home state, sharing the stage with noted acts ranging from The Band to Buddy Miles, Warren Haynes & Gov't Mule, the Radiators, Jefferson Starship, Ziggy Marley, and a host of others.

Additionally, Lavezzoli is a respected music historian and award winning author with two books to date, both published by Continuum Books of New York & London. "The King of All, Sir Duke" (2001) explores the legacy of Duke Ellington in modern jazz, rock, and R&B music. "The Dawn of Indian Music in the West" (2006) -- with a Foreword by Ravi Shankar -- tells the story of Shankar and Indian music's pivotal impact on rock and jazz (including interviews with Shankar, John McLaughlin, Mickey Hart, Philip Glass, and others). This book won the ARSC (Association of Recorded Sound) award in 2007 for Best Historical Research, and was published in India by HarperCollins in 2009, with revisions and a new title: "Bhairavi: The Global Impact of Indian Music."

Always the student himself, Lavezzoli made several trips to India, where he studied Indian rhythm theory with Tanmoy Bose, tabla player for Ravi Shankar. He has played drumset in Tanmoy’s Indo-jazz group Taal Tantra, both on Indian TV and in music festivals throughout India. Lavezzoli has also studied Indian classical vocal techniques with Uma Lacombe, a teacher and disciple of the Dagar family of singers, and applies some of the unique qualities of Indian classical singing to his work as a pop/rock vocalist.

Sharing his talents in a variety of ways, Lavezzoli has utilized his reading and speaking voice in voluntary service to the Blind since 2003. He is a narrator for the US Library of Congress, recording audio books on tape for the visually impaired with the Library's Talking Books program. Lavezzoli also donates his time and music collection to Miami's Jazz/NPR station WLRN, where he regularly hosts special programs on legendary jazz artists ranging from Duke Ellington and Miles Davis to Art Tatum and Sun Ra.

Staying active in his passion for both the arts and education, Lavezzoli is an active member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS/GRAMMY), and is a former instructor and show director for the Paul Green School of Rock. He now accepts private drum and vocal students as his schedule permits.