Jay Dittamo
In the heart of the NY/NJ music scene, one name reverberates with the thunderous pulse of a rock anthem: Jay Dittamo. This prolific drummer isn’t just a name on the list—he’s an icon who has ignited stages from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the United Nations, leaving an indelible mark on the world’s grandest stages. For decades, Jay has been the pulse behind a myriad of music projects, making waves and raising the bar wherever he goes.
Dittamo’s beats have rocked TV shows, movie soundtracks, and even the New Jersey Hall of Fame. His name is inked in the pages of Downbeat magazine and NorthJersey.com, a testament to his unstoppable rhythm and legendary status. Jay’s passion for rock and comic book heroes converge in his recording haven, The Cave Studio—a space that pays homage to Batman’s bat cave. Here, in this epicenter of creativity, he’s crafted film scores and collaborated with luminaries like Bucky Pizzarelli and Gloria Lynne.
Jay’s journey began through a family mentor: his uncle Freddie Dittamo, a jazz great who once shared stages with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Leonard Bernstein. Under Freddie’s tutelage, Jay honed his drumming skills, vowing to carry his uncle’s spirit in every beat.
While Jay’s musical palate spans across genres, his heart beats strongest for progressive rock, with Frank Zappa as a guiding star. Although he auditioned for a chance to join Zappa in 1981, he opted to pursue playing his own original music. Jay’s dreams came true when he later jammed with Zappa’s band members in “Band from Utopia” and paid tribute with “Project Object.”
But the rock star roster doesn’t stop there. Jay has laid down the beat with a dazzling array of icons—from Lenny White and Ace Frehley to Keith Emerson and Brad Whitford. He’s grooved with Jose Feliciano, C&C Music Factory, and even shared a stage with Chuck Berry. And let’s not forget his epic collaborations with Yoko Ono and a host of legendary names that include Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lita Ford, and even Adam West, from the 1960’s Batman series.
In testament to the late Ron Howden, Nektar welcomes Jay Dittamo on drums, handpicked by the maestro himself. Jay again has become a driving force within Nektar’s rhythm section after being featured on their new album, “Mission to Mars” and the tour, supporting that new record.
Jay Dittamo isn’t just a drummer; he’s a musical superhero, blending raw talent with a storied career that few can rival, Jay is living proof that some heroes actually wear drumsticks instead of capes.
