Long-standing Drummer Cafe VIP member, Ernie Durawa, stopped by the Drummer Cafe studio while he was in Nashville for the 2014 Summer NAMM Show.
Ernie grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and has been a major player in the Austin music scene for decades. His ability to totally transcend stylistic barriers has made him an important part of various bands that do the same thing, most notably the all-star Texas Tornados — featuring his life-long friend, Doug Sahm, as well as country and western legend, Freddy Fender, and Tex Mex maestro, Flaco Jimenez. Durawa was also the drummer for the unique singer and bandleader, Delbert McClinton, for a long bluesy stretch which ended in 1981.
I sat down with Ernie to talk about living in Austin, Texas, how he got into drumming, stories about his studies with legendary drum educator, Roy C. Knapp, his Grammy® Award winning work with The Texas Tornados, working with Delbert McClinton, his jazz group, Los Jazz Vatos, and his most recent record, Restless Mind, with blues singer/guitarist, Murali Coryell.
To learn more about Ernie Durawa, read his biography, view his discography and performance credits, as well as his equipment and endorsement list, visit his website at www.ErnieDurawaDrums.com.
