The Jazz Mill (Featuring drummer & composer John Armato)

John Armato is a Kansas City native, New York City ex-pat, and now Sacramento resident, John Armato appears on releases by Tom Giovagnoli, Peter Petty, Tony Underwood, Claudette Stone, and Lisa Bloecher. "The Drummer Loves Ballads" is his first release as leader.

He came up as a sideman in Kansas City in the 80s and 90s working with local society bands and jazz leaders as well as backing touring acts and “ghost bands” such as The Ink Spots, The Platters, and The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He was also a member of the Kansas City Chief's "Pack Band." Relocating to New York and then Sacramento brought Armato new opportunities to work with jazz artists such as tenor saxophonist Bob Kindred, vocalist Anne Phillips, cornet legend Warren Vache; and smooth jazz headliners such as Paul Brown, Darren Rahn, Steve Oliver, and Spencer Day. In recent years he has traveled Northern California with the Dean-O-Holics Rat Pack tribute show.

Armato has had parallel careers as a communications executive and creative strategist as well as a musician. "The Drummer Loves Ballads" combines his talents as a jazz drummer with his skills as a writer, designer, and speaker to create a uniquely personal project. 

Resource Library: 

https://thedrummerlovesballads.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Drummer-Loves-Ballads-John-Armato/dp/B0963H35T7

https://www.thejazzmill.net/

https://www.soulmessageband.com/