Dean divides his time between adventures on the jazz scene in L.A. and

a roster of college students to whom he passes on the lessons

(musical and otherwise) he has learned as a lifelong professional.

Jazz has been his primary interest since high school in Hawaii when he was captivated by

The Bill Evans Trio recordings (particularly the later ones with Joe LaBarbera on

drums). He has remained insatiably curious and enthusiastic about trends in

jazz and jazz drumming, and is always engaging as a performer, listener, and

audience member, finding inspiration to push the envelope in his own

playing. As a result, Dean is known for energetic drive, deft facility, and

imaginative spontaneity on the drums. His distinct style is in high demand,

most often in trios led by pianists Tamir Hendleman and Greg Reitan, and

John Proulx.

This explorative spirit is balanced by the consistency of his “steady gig” at

Disneyland, which he had for 30 years. Dean has enjoyed the musical

challenges that come with each of the many bands and shows he has played

in over the years, as well as the dedicated musicians he has worked with and

befriended there.

Dean earned a Bachelor of Music in percussion from Northwestern

University and went on to graduate school at The University of Southern

California where he earned a Master of Music in jazz studies. At USC, he

studied drumset with his high school hero Joe LaBarbera, Greg Field, an

alumni of the Count Basie Band & Frank Sinatra, and another giant of jazz drumming,

Jeff Hamilton, diving deep into the art of bebop drumming and the trio format specifically.

The pursuit of music continues in Dean’s faculty positions at Long Beach City College,

Mount San Antonio College,and El Camino College. As an educator,

Dean puts the next generation of drummers through the tried-and-true paces,

and uses their up-to-the-minute interests to enrich their education as well as his own.