American Drummer Jerry Nitzberg | Inspirational Musician | Musicians with Disabilities

Jerry Nitzberg

Location: Felton, PA

Challenge: Osteoarthritis, Paralysis

Imagine being raised on an island in Biscayne Bay, Miami Florida. There was plenty of mischief to get into for a youngster who was left on his own. Without knowing it, this isolated environment helped develop the creative side that would define Jerry Nitzberg. Drawing, tinkering, building and slipping into his Dad's tool room were daily activities. At 10 years of age, his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland to be closer to family. Making the transition north, not to mention making new friends had it's challenges for being new and different socially.

When the Beatles were on TV, Jerry realized that there was something in him that moved with the beat. Jerry bought some drumsticks and every evening during the local Radio's Liverpool hour; he would play pillows arranged as drums and cymbals. He had never played on a set; only knowing how good it felt to play. One day some friends were starting a band and needed a drummer. They asked Jerry to try out. Not having a drum set, he borrowed one and low and behold made the audition. As Jerry's skills improved, so did band jobs, opening for BB King, The 5 th Dimension, the four Seasons, Alvin Lee, Blood Rock just to name a few.

In order to get his band (at the time) publicity, Jerry entered a Longest Continuous Drum Solo Contest being put on by a local radio station. Jerry was able to be one of ten drummers chosen to compete. The first drummer played 8 hours; the second drummer played 10 hours. Jerry was up next playing 20 hours, 3 minutes of nonstop vigorous drumming without taking any breaks, no eating, drinking, or leaving the drum set. The drummers after Jerry all dropped out of the contest. In order to prepare and be in top condition Jerry did lots of drumming and hitting a Boxing Speed Bag. A little secret Jerry used not to get thirsty and need to drink water, Jerry placed a small pebble under his tongue on the salivary gland in order to secrete saliva into the mouth.

Jerry Nitzberg's Love of Drumming and Innovation has been an integral part of him throughout his 75 years. His life was filled with playing Music at Night and working construction during the day.

Jerry developed osteoarthritis at a young age. Later it was followed by paralysis from the waist down, as well as total loss of the use of his dominant arm. He worked tirelessly to regain use of his arm, walk, and most importantly, to be able to play the drums again.

Over the past 10 years Jerry never stopped developing and refining a Hand Operated HiHat. His vision, passion and devotion melded to create the BARK Hi Hat, the first hand operated Hi Hat! The BARK Hi Hat provides the most direct and instant hi hat response for all hi hat rhythms and accents, Hands DOWN!!!

NOW, BARK Hi Hat is available to all worldwide.

Visit: BARKHiHat.com to learn more.

BARK Hi-Hat