Born in Newark, NJ, in 1952, percussionist Jim Pugliese was influenced by R&B while growing up. Later, he studied percussion with Raymond Des Roches, and performed new music with composers John Cage, Philip Glass (including a '90s performance on PBS' Sessions at West 54th Street), and Carlos Chavez, to name a few. Pugliese studied and performed microtonal music, and spent 12 years playing in Dean Drummond's Newband, as well as performing in the Harry Partch Ensemble. During this time, Pugliese also became interested in Afro-Cuban music, and began studying with master drummer Pablo Landrum. Since the mid-'80s, Pugliese has lived in N.Y.C., improvising and recording with many of the downtown jazz and new music scene standouts, such as John Zorn and Anthony Coleman. His music has been performed all over the city at venues like the Roulette, the Knitting Factory, and the Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival. He has toured the U.S., Europe, and Japan appearing at the FIMAV, Bang on a Can, Nicolsdorf Jazz, and other festivals, and has received several Meet the Composer grants. At the end of 1997, the Avant label released the first CD by EasSide Percussion. Christine Bard and Michael Evans -- ESP's other two members -- also play in Pugliese's group Soultronix. In 1998, Pugliese was selected as Artist in Residence at Harvestworks in N.Y.C. where he recorded his solo CD Sonic Soul. ~ Joslyn Layne