BIOGRAPHY
I am an experienced, qualified drummer based in London. I have extensive experience performing, recording and touring with various musical groups ranging from jazz, latin and funk to rock, indie and punk in South Africa and the UK. I am a previous member of the South African National Schools Jazz Band and the South African National Youth Big Band, and was featured in the June 2012 edition of SA Drums Magazine.
I have a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from Rhodes University and a BMus Honours degree in Jazz Performance from the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town. In addition to many years of performance experience I have also taught instrumental and class music at secondary and tertiary level. My teaching experience includes practical and theoretical teaching and has covered multiple levels from secondary school level and Further Education to Higher Education up to postgraduate level.
I have performed, recorded and toured with various musical groups ranging from jazz, rock and pop to classical and traditional/folk music. I was previously a member of the South African National Youth Big Band and the South African National Schools Jazz Band. I have also performed with several prominent jazz and rock musicians. Highlights of my career so far include performing with London-based singer Joe Taylor, as well as renowned jazz musicians Justin Bellairs, Mageshen Naidoo, Nishlyn Ramanna and Joel Johnson (US). In 2020 I accompanied the Masicule massed choir performance alongside acclaimed South African singer Sibongile Mngoma, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and have performed in two Ovation award-winning shows at the South African National Arts Festival – ‘The Story of Eva Cassidy’ featuring Kerry Hiles (2022) and prodigy classical violinist Neo Motsatse’s ‘The Concert’ (2016). I currently play drums for London indie rock artist Daniel Land, as well as the Danny Silverstone Jazz Quartet.
Alongside performing as a session drummer for various artists I am also passionate about original music. For many years my main original project has been indie rock band Irvine with whom I spent a number of years performing with in South Africa and London. Irvine is signed to German indie label FBP Music Group who released our most recent EP 'Guiding Pulses'. I am a co-founder, writer and producer in Irvine. Various recordings and video clips of my work with Irvine can be viewed at www.irvinetheband.com
I am a passionate and energetic performer with a solid groove as well as an advanced reading ability and level of improvisation. I have a great deal of experience performing live with click tracks and backing tracks, and am also a competent background vocalist, pianist, clarinetist, bass guitarist and arranger. I am a very reliable and easy-going person with an ear for good feel, accuracy and creativity.
EDUCATION:
Master of Music degree in Jazz Performance
– Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Bachelor of Music Honours degree in Jazz Performance
– University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
– Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Bachelor of Arts degree – Majors: English and History
– Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
ADDITIONAL MUSIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Grade 7 Trinity College of Music – clarinet
Grade 5 Trinity College of Music – piano
Grade 5 Royal Schools of Music – music theory
ARTISTS I HAVE PERFORMED WITH:
JAZZ:
The South African National Youth Big Band, The South African National Schools Jazz Band, Neo Motsatse, Nishlyn Ramanna, Justin Bellairs, Mageshen Naidoo, Mike Bester, Kingsley Buitendag, The James Bassingthwaite Band, The John Edwards Quartet, The Alan Webster Quartet, The Matthew Boon Quintet, Gareth Walwyn, Rick Van Heerden, Random Planet, Llulama Gawulama, Luwanda Gogwana, Amalahle, Lonwabo 'Diba' Mafani, Dark Blue Matter (UK), Jessica and The Bad Habits (UK), Danny Silverstone Jazz Quartet (UK).
ROCK AND POP:
Irvine, Daniel Land (UK), Joe Taylor (UK), Late Night Showing, Awkward Arm (UK), A Tower of Sheep (UK), Radioflyer, Blindspot, Far From Reason, One Thousand Hours, Apartment 7, Keg Party.
MUSICAL INFLUENCES:
Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, Jimmy Eat World, Mutemath, Deathcab For Cutie, Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis Quartet, John Coltrane etc.
DRUMMING INFLUENCES:
Tony Williams, Travis Barker, Jack Dejohnette, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Håkon Mjåset Johansen, Carter Beauford, Benny Greb, Jason McGerr, John Bonham, Aaron Spears etc.
GEAR:
Drums: Tama Club Jam kit: 12”, 10″, 12″, 18″. Cymbals: 20″ Zildjian K Medium Ride, 17″ Zildjian K Custom Dark Crash, 17″ Sabian HHX Legacy Crash, 14″ Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Hats, 21″ Anatolian Chocolate Move Ride, 10″ Anatolian Diamond Trinity splash.
Roland TD-3 electronic drumkit.
