Jody Cortez has quite the early beginnings of drumming, having grown up alongside the Porcaro family. By the age of 21, he began his professional career by touring the world with and ultimately becoming the stateside musical director for Boz Scaggs (1981-83). He was in high demand around the Los Angeles area by referral, and began to carve out a niche of studio drumming and producing live events. ...
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Jody Cortez has quite the early beginnings of drumming, having grown up alongside the Porcaro family. By the age of 21, he began his professional career by touring the world with and ultimately becoming the stateside musical director for Boz Scaggs (1981-83). He was in high demand around the Los Angeles area by referral, and began to carve out a niche of studio drumming and producing live events. In 1984 he began touring with both Brenda Russell and T.J. Parker, and still tours with Russell today. He went on to play for Cinderella, replacing drummer Jim Drnec, and recorded Night Songs.

In 1989 Jody began touring the world with David Crosby (through 1995). But in 1994 he went on the road for the 25th Anniversary Tour of Crosby, Stills & Nash after playing on the live version of the hit single “Hero” by Crosby and Phil Collins. The tour included a performance at Woodstock 2. Also in 1989-90, he recorded with The Jacksons, and was in the studio with Pat Leonard, Five T’s with Michael Blum (Madonna), Billy Sherwood (Yes) and Jimmy Haun of Yoso, Cinderella, Steve Lukather, John Fogerty, Foreigner, Brenda Russell, Jackson Browne, David Lindley, Mike Finnigan and more.

From 1990 through 2001 he toured with Christopher Cross.

He actively participates in charity functions and began this by performing with Billy Idol and Steve Lukather with the Porcaro Brothers for St. Francis benefit concerts in 2000 through 2004.

2010 saw Jody Cortez performing with Yoso, and he put together an all-star band including Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood (Yes) and Bobby Kimball (Toto) to perform at Frankfurt Musikmesse.

He has also recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Julie Brown, Debbie Gibson, Jody Watley, David Gilmore (Pink Floyd), Boz Scaggs, Chicago, David Crosby, Crosby, Stills & Nash (Woodstock 94 and Studio CD “Only Waiting for you”). He played drums and coordinated the studio musicians for Paul McCartney, Phil Collins (RAADD produced by Paul Rothschild). And was the studio drummer for Ken Topolsky (Producer Paramount Pictures), re-recording and rewriting soundtracks for overseas distribution as well as music for TV show themes and major releases like Top Gun and Witness.

Currently Jody is the available for tracks as well as lessons. Please fill the contact page or send an e-mail to info@jodycortez.com.

Discography

William MacGregor, Welcome to the Carnival 2007
Cinderella – Gold 2006
Judy Henske – She Sang California 2005
Cinderella – Rocked, Wired & Bluesed:
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