Bobby Previte

This interview with Bobby Previte was conducted on May 29th, 2026, in his home studio in Claverack, New York. It is part of a collection gathered by the 2026 cohort of the Oral History Summer School based in Hudson, New York. Bobby is a drummer, bandleader and composer.

Bobby begins by discussing his childhood - growing up in Niagara Falls, New York, in a large Italian family. He describes practising on homemade drums from an early age and eventually saving for his own set which he still owns and plays. He goes onto talk about his relationships to his brother, sister and parents, as well as his families' immigration story from Italy. He then narrates the development of his craft as a musician, learning, in his own words, 'on the street' and through gigging. While initially as a young man he went to Buffalo university to study dentistry, he eventually was able to change to music. He goes on to discuss his later move to New York where he started playing in different musical scenes. He traces his changing relationship to sound, arrangement and composition throughout continually reflecting on the artistry of musicianship.The interview concludes with reflections on his loving relationship to his current work in teaching younger musicians, composition and playing, as well as his move to Claverack and meeting his wife, Andrea.
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This interview would be of interest to those hoping to learn about musicians, artistry, jazz, immigration, sound, the arts in New York state and teaching.

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