Currently a music educator, Rich Cummings is also a trained orchestral percussionist. He enjoys playing in his group Black~N~Blues, a semi-finalist in the International Blues Competition. http://www.black-n-blues.com Along with Black N' Blues, Rich has also performed with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra and recently joined the Warren Shand Band. Traditional afro-cuban percussion is not the norm in WIlliamsport Pa, but Mr. Cummings is well versed in that ethnic style of music. Drumset is his area of concentration. He sightreads and enjoys playing all styles of music from funk to jazz, from Pantera to Snoop Dogg. A very eclectic musical individual!

Obtaining a degree in music was very important to Mr. Cummings as he was a frequent performer with all the ensembles at Mansfield University. Along with his Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a concentration in percussion, Mr. Cummings seeks out private teachers to further develop his playing and technique. He has attended master classes by Steve Smith (Vital Information, Journey), Peter Erskine, Jim Chapin, Dave Weckl, and Marco Marcinko (Maynard Ferguson). Rich has took this knowledge to cities like New York, Baltimore, Newark, and Washington D.C. where he presently resides as a freelance jazz artist. He recently attended the International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN with his group Black~N~Blues. They have also opened for Blue Oyster Cult. He also accepts calls as a fill in/studio drummer because of his experience as a player in all styles of music.