ED ROSCETTI, a 1977 graduate of Niagara Falls High School, is a renowned drummer, composer, author, and clinician based in Los Angeles since 1979. His lifelong musical journey of performing, recording, composing, and music education began in his parents’ basement at the age of five.

After early drum and piano lessons at D’Amico’s and DiRocco’s Music and performing in school stage concerts, marching and dance bands, Ed quickly made his mark in Western New York’s music scene. By age 15, he was sitting in with jazz veterans at the famed Ontario House and leading his own gigs with fellow local musicians.

At just 16, he joined Joe Ruggiero’s band Transition, performing across Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Canada. A pivotal moment came when he met legendary guitarist Tommy Tedesco (2017 inductee), who encouraged him to move to Los Angeles and offered to help him break into the industry. After a brief stint at Berklee College of Music, Ed followed that advice, and relocated to L.A. at age 18.

There, Tedesco introduced him to drum legend Joe Porcaro, who became Ed’s mentor and teacher. Ed quickly established himself in the vibrant L.A. music community, performing with Tedesco’s Quartet and recording his first albums in 1980, including Fighting Clowns (Firesign Theatre, with Jeff “Skunk” Baxter) and Naturally (Julius Wechter’s Baja Marimba Band). A longtime educator, Ed began teaching at the Percussion Institute of Technology (PIT) in 1980, later becoming a curriculum author for the Musician’s Institute (MI) in Hollywood and Japan.

Over his 36 years at MI, he mentored hundreds of drummers, including Ray Luzier (Korn), Curt Bisquera, and Toss Panos. By 1984, Ed expanded into composition and production for TV and film, studying under composer Lyle “Spud” Murphy. His work has been featured on shows such as Saturday Night Live, General Hospital, Family Ties, L.A. Law, Knots Landing, Biography (A&E), Fox Sports, Disney, The WWE, and The History Channel. As a drummer and percussionist, he has collaborated with legends including Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample and The Crusaders, Benny Golson, and Robben Ford. An acclaimed author with Hal Leonard Publishing, Ed’s catalog includes 11 book/audio titles that have become staples in modern music education.

As a clinician, he has led over a thousand workshops across North America, appearing at NYU, UCLA, the Grammy Museum, Berklee College of Music, and at major industry conferences including NAMM, PASIC, IAJE, and TMEA.

He also co-created the World Beat Rhythms Interactive Drum Clinic and developed the NAMM Museum of Making Music Summer Camp Series and its Interactive Video Portals exhibit. Ed has remained deeply connected to his hometown roots, returning often to teach clinics at D’Amico’s Music, Lewiston-Porter School, Villa Maria College, Randy Andropolis’ music camp (fellow Inductee), Buffalo Guitar Center, Villa Maria College and the Tuscarora Indian school.

Grateful for his mentors and community, he continues to give back by inspiring and guiding new generations of musicians. He is deeply honored and we are proud to induct Ed Roscetti into the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame.