graham103522 + Musician in London, EN

SEEKING

ABOUT

I live in Wandsworth SW London, I play drums/assorted percussion. For more vids and photos etc see my profile on Starnow.

Screen name:

graham103522

Member since:

Apr 17 2014

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Committed

Years playing music:

35

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

More than 3 times per week

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Influences

Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Curtis Mayfield, Steve Gadd, Taj Mahal, Etta James, Joe Sample, Jimmy Smith, Steve Miller, Bernard Purdie, Harvey Mason, Early Jethro Tull, Uberjam, Traffic, Pretenders, Roy Rogers....

Instrument experience:

Drums:

Expert

Other Percussion:

Expert

EQUIPMENT

I play mainly a 4/5 piece, 1970's, 6 ply maple Ludwig Classic drum kit in black cortex wrap with a Ludwig 400 Supra-phonic snare (ex Van Morrison band) complete with Zildian K Custom Hybrid cymbals.
I also have a 1950 Leedy and Ludwig Classic kit in white marine pearl wrap on 3 ply maple shells complete with vintage Aquarian heads which I use for jazz 'n blues gigs. Included is a matching L. and L.14" x 6.5" 'Broadway' Snare Drum. Similar drums to these were used and endorsed by many famous drummers of the day including Jack Sperling with Tex Beneke Orch, Irv Kluger with Artie Shaw Band and Sonny Greer of the Duke Ellington Orchestra (the original kit of which I believe is in Charlie Watts's collection).
Also in use is a warm and woody vintage1959 Transition Badge Ludwig Pioneer Snare (Mahogany/Poplar/Mahogany shell) in WMP finish as well as a DW, 6 ply maple snare in natural wood finish with wooden hoops. In addition I play assorted percussion including a birch wood De Gregorio cajon etc.
I started playing drums and things from the age of about 5 years. At school I joined a rock band as well as a pipe band where I eventually became leading stroke side drummer. Since then I've played in a variety of bands playing covers, prog rock, blues/delta/rock, soul, motown, r&b, jazz standards/ jazz - rock/funk, folk and skiffle. I've also gained experience playing as a depping drummer mainly in function bands.
I've studied drumming and percussion at school, with the London based jazz drummer Lloyd Ryan and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
I've attended drum and percussion master-classes given by Louis Bellson, Max Roach, Jack de Jonnette, Billy Cobham, Peter Erskine, Danny Gottlieb, Dave Weckle, Alphonse Mouzon, Steve Gadd, Carl Palmer, Bill Bruford, Jon Hiseman, Stewart Copeland, Pete Lockett,Clark Tracey, Ash Soan etc.
I've always played at an amateur or semi-pro level.
My preferred genres these days are different shades of jazz 'n blues but I'm happy playing almost anything.

MUSIC