Ronnie Zito

Ronald "Ronnie" Zito (born February 17, 1939) is an American jazz drummer.^[1]

Ronnie Zito
Birth name	Ronald Zito
Born	(1939-02-17) February 17, 1939 (age 85) Utica, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Instrument	Drums

Early life

Zito was born in Utica, New York, into a musical family including his brother Torrie Zito.^[1][2] He began playing drums at the age of 10 and at age 14 took a year and a half of formal lessons.^[3]

Career

Zito was the Bobby Darin's personal drummer for four years.^[1] He also played with Woody Herman, J.R. Monterose, Frank Rosolino, Peggy Lee, Cher, Roberta Flack and Eartha Kitt.^[2]

Collaborations

With Irene Cara

• Anyone Can See (Network, 1982)

With Cher

• Take Me Home (Casablanca Records, 1979)

With Bill Danoff

• Reincarnation (ABC, 1969)

With Bobby Darin

• Love Swings (Atco Records, 1961)
• Winners (Atco Records, 1964)

With Roberta Flack

• Feel Like Makin' Love (Atlantic Records, 1975)

With Jake Holmes

• How Much Time (Columbia Records, 1972)

With Morgana King

• New Beginnings (Paramount Records, 1973)

With Barry Manilow

• This One's for You (Arista Records, 1976)
• Even Now (Arista Records, 1978)
• Barry (Arista Records, 1980)

With Don McLean

• Playin' Favorites (United Artists Records, 1973)

With Helen Merrill

• Casa Forte (Trio, 1980)

With David Pomeranz

• New Blues (Decca Records, 1971)

With Frankie Valli

• Closeup (Private Stock Records, 1975)

References

1. Feather, Leonard Geoffrey (1966). The encyclopedia of jazz in the sixties. The Archive of Contemporary Music. New York: Horizon Press. p. 290.
2. Chadbourne, Eugene. "Ronald Zito Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
3. Nigohosian, Stephan (January 1992). "Ronnie Zito: From Big Band to Broadway" (PDF). Modern Drummer. 16: 46–48.