COMPOSITION & ORCHESTRATION NOTES:
Musical composition has been a passion from very early on, beginning with arrangements for percussion ensemble in high school. In many ways, Dedication Suite began decades ago while I was working on the road as a drummer, carrying a small keyboard from city to city and composing during downtime. Several of the melodies created during those early years have become part of the finished work today.
The orchestration is written for full orchestra with the addition of piano, bass, and guitar. The percussion writing includes a traditional classical section along with a drum set specialist performing on a “modified” drum set. All percussion parts are fully written out to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretation. The suite is comprised of ten movements, five of which include solo sections featuring four different soloists: piano, clarinet, flugelhorn, and guitar.
Each movement is dedicated to someone who has been a profound musical or personal inspiration. The importance of this acknowledgment cannot be overstated—Dedication Suite is as much a reflection of those individuals as it is of the music itself.
DRUMMING NOTES:
A career in drumming began with instruction from two influential teachers: John McMahan and John Von Ohlen. McMahan focused on rudiments and technical development, while Von Ohlen emphasized musical concepts and the importance of approaching the drum set as a complete musical instrument. My father, Larry Mechem Sr., led a 9-piece band, and I began performing with the group at the age of 14.
Between my junior and senior years of high school, I spent the summer at Tanglewood studying with percussionists from the Boston Symphony and performing with the student orchestra. After graduation, I attended Indiana University for a year, studying with George Gaber, before making the decision to go on the road professionally.
An opportunity arose to perform with Holiday On Ice, a position recommended to me by John Von Ohlen. What began as a single engagement became a five-year commitment, starting at Madison Square Garden and concluding with a two-month residency in Las Vegas. It was an exceptional playing experience—with shows running over two hours and as many as eleven performances per week.
Freelancing and eventually relocating to New York City led to tours with headliners and work in Broadway and touring productions, including Show Boat on Broadway, the European tour of 42nd Street, I Do! I Do!, Annie, and Pippin. During this period, I earned a BBA degree from Pace University, graduating summa cum laude, all while maintaining an active performing schedule.
After several years in New York, it was time for a change, and Las Vegas became the next chapter. Not long after arriving, I met Michael Grimm—who would later win America’s Got Talent. Our long-term musical relationship began with me performing as the drummer in his band and eventually grew into the role of drummer and musical director for his 14-piece ensemble.
Currently, I work as a musician, private drum instructor, and realtor with Real Broker LLC in Las Vegas. I began my real estate career in 2004 upon moving to Las Vegas, and continue to balance my real estate work with composing, teaching, and playing.
