Dinos Musical Journey!

Dino English studied drumming and percussion and earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Business and Music from Central Methodist University. Born in 1968 as the youngest sibling, Dino came up in a musically oriented family. His mother studied vocals in college and all his brothers play guitar, his oldest playing pedal steel guitar. Dino was introduced into the world of recording from his oldest brother, Steve, who owned The Sound Factory recording studios throughout the 80's and early 90's in Tucson Arizona. Dino studied drum set and percussion during college while playing in the jazz and concert bands. Upon graduating, Dino pursued a career in music while performing with bands and writing songs.

Playing Music:

Dino has played with and recorded some of the worlds finest musicians and has appeared in such magazines as Rolling Stone, Spin, Relix, and Drum Magazine.
Dino started out playing music in St. Louis with The Icons http://www.myspace.com/iconsneverdie and and after graduating college, Vitamin A. http://www.myspace.com/vitaminamusic Dino wrote and performed original material, and on the side, played in Grateful Dead cover bands such as The Schwag, and jam band The Kind based in the St. Louis area. Dino then joined Dark Star Orchestra in 1999 and has been touring with the band ever since.

Live music:

Dino has performed live with Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead), Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Trey Anastasio (Phish), Mike Gordon (Phish); Sam Bush (Sam Bush Band, New Grass Revival) ; Los Lobos, Johnny Johnson (Chuck Berry); Vassar Clements (Grammy award winning violinist, Old & In the Way); Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule, The Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends), Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band); Richie Hayward (Little Feat), Airto (Miles Davis, Chick Corea); David Nelson (The New Riders of the Purple Sage), Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Cassidy (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna), Jeff Chimenti (Dead And Company ; Furthur ; Ratdog) Steve Kimock, Stanley Jordan, Kennwood Dennard, Keller Williams, members of the Yonder Mountain String Band, and members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, to name a few.

Song writing:

Dino had the extreme honor to co writing the song "Run Mary" with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter in a collaboration with Dark Star Orchestra. While performing with the Icons Dino wrote songs with now screenwriter / director / producer James Gunn (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Scooby Doo, Dawn Of The Dead). Dino continues work on a variety of song writing projects.

Recording:

Dino has produced, recorded, and released the album "Shimmy Shack" http://www.myspace.com/shimmyshackmusicmusic featuring all the members of Dark Star Orchestra, Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead), Jon Fishman (Phish),Vassar Clements, Byron House (Robert Plant's Band Of Joy ; Sam Bush Band ; Nashville studio musician), Roger Lewis (Dirty Dozen Brass Band), Charlie Hitchcock (Particle), , Klyph Black (Zen Trickters), Marc Brownstein (Disco Biscuits), Mike Apirion (St. Louis band “The Unconscious”), and Brad Sarno (Blue Dixie),
Dino received his edification in the recording world by working along side many experienced professional sound and recording engineers such as (Grammy award winning engineer) Rob Eaton, Grateful Dead sound man Dan Healy, Grateful Dead engineers Bob Matthews and Betty Cantor Jackson, Cotter Michaels (Phil Lesh & Friends, Average White Band, Dark Star Orchestra), Cameron Blietz (Dark Star Orchestra), and his brother Steve English (The Sound Factory).

Drumming:

Dino studied under renowned teacher Gary Chaffee for two years from May of 2017 until Gary's retirement in June of 2019.
Dino has taken private drum lessons on a semi regular basis from Chad Wackerman (Frank Zappa), and Kevin Gianino (St. Louis luminary), Dino has also had personal instruction from Ed Soph (University North Texas drum instructor) as well as having attended several of his clinics.
Dino has been able to attend many clinics by some of his favorite drummers such as Chester Thompson (Frank Zappa, Weather Report, Genesis, studio musician), Dave Weckl (Chick Corea’s Electric Band, studio musician), Terry Bozzio (Zappa), and Jim Chapin (renowned instructor).
Dino is influenced by all the greats but initially was drawn to the drum kit by Peter Chris (Kiss). Soon after, he grew a great love for the playing of Neil Peart (Rush), Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson), Phil Collins and Chester Thompson (Genesis), Stewart Copland (The Police), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin).
From there, Dino gravitated towards jazz fusion and the drumming of Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Peter Erskine, Billy Cobham. Soon after, virtually all the drummers of Frank Zappa had a profound impact on him especially Chad Wackerman, Vinnie Colaiuta, Terry Bozzio, and Chester Thompson.
Dino’s love for jazz fusion led him to the roots of jazz and a love for post bop era drummers Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, and Jack Dejohnette.
Dino attended his first Grateful Dead Concert in 1991 at Sandstone Amphitheater outside of Kansas City and his love for jamband music was born. Dino was struck by the the Grateful Dead’s ability to incorporate many diverse musical influences under one tent, their ability to forge their own sound, and bring their music to a large audience. Soon Dino was discovering other related music such as The Allman Brothers, Little Feat with their excellent drumming of Richie Hayward, the music of New Orleans such as the Meters with Zigaboo Modeliste, and The Funky Meters with Russell Batiste.
Dino’s love for the Grateful Dead led to the second generation jambands like Phish with Jon Fishman, Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit with Jeff Sipe. And then the third generation jambands like Jacob Fred’s Jazz Odyssey with Jason Smart, and Umphrey’s Magee with Kris Myers, and Fat Mama with Joe Russo.
Dino continues to be impressed and influenced by all the great young talented drummers that are making their way in today’s music scene and always tries to keep an ear open for new musical discoveries.