Cbeebies drumming program with Planet Drum, August 2010

Planet Drum has filmed a short BBC television drumming program for CBeebies back in March 2010 Watch Program

Charity drumming event for young people with cancer, June 2010

Planet Drum is hosting a 2 day benefit event to raise money for Clic Sargent. This event will include performances by Planet Drum students and teachers on 19th June, as well as a masterclass featuring Peter Riley and Jerry Brown on Sunday 20th June. More info

I'm in a 'roll band! The Drummer: on BBC iPlayer. May 2010

Ah, the drummer: not considered by many to be the most glamorous task within the classic rock line-up, and yet in many senses the engine room of the whole operation.Watch

In this soaring demonstration, deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie illustrates how listening to music involves much more than simply letting sound waves hit your eardrums.

Watch Video

"Rhythm" interview with Robert Brian

Find out everything about Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer Robert Brian in Rhythm Magazine. Robert is back at Planet Drum for a masterclass end March 2010.

Download PDF

Drumming course in Brazil with Christiano Rocha, 3rd to 11th February 2010

This is a great opportunity to learn brazilian kit drumming with some of the best instructors out there! This course is organized by Planet Drum instructor Felipe Drago

More info

Ernesto Simpson Masterclass, 22nd August 2009

Ernesto's musical sophistication is matched only by his ability to play on a
very high level with great consistency, freshness and unique taste

More info

Def Leppard's Rick Allen: The Cream Interview

Interview of legendary Def Leppard drummer and triumpher over adversity Rick Allen

More info

Iced Earth drummer plans new album Richard Christy is going in the recording studio to work on his own project.

More info

Jimmy Chamberlin leaves Smashing Pumpkins

A post on the Smashing Pumpkins Web site announced recently the departure of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

More info

Robert Brian masterclass, Saturday 28th March

Siouxsie Sioux drummer will be at Planet Drum for a very special masterclass.

More info

A masterclass with Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen

The man who put the heartbeat in Fela Kuti's music faces the toughest challenge in his career.

See Tony Allen

Jennifer Denitto and Sarah Lasaki, 28th February 2008

This exciting event will be run by Jennifer Denitto and Sarah Denitto, two busy female drummers who study at Planet Drum.

See more

Drumming and health workshop, Kent, 3rd February 2009

Drums and cymbals will replace weights and treadmills at a special workshop promoting healthy living through music.

See more

Christiano Rocha back at Planet Drum on 31st January 2009

Christiano will be back with us for a special masterclass as part of his 2009 European tour! He will also be available for private lessons on that day. Christiano has toured and recorded with John Patitucci, Eric Marienthal, Paulinho da Costa and many others.

See: Christiano Rocha

Mitch Mitchell dies, 12th November 2008

The death of drummer Mitch Mitchell, aged 61, marks an unwanted milestone in rock mortality. Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, all have suffered fatalities over the years. However, with the passing of Mitchell, all three members of the Jimi Hendrix Experience are now dead..

See: Mitch Mitchell

Stephen Perkins video

Stephen Perkins is the drummer for the legendary rock band Jane's addiction. In his IMV "Behind the Player" DVD, Perkins gives an intimate behind-the scenes look at his life as a professional musician including rare photos and video footage. Perkins then gives in-depth lessons for how to play "Been Caught Stealing" and jams the track with Slipknot bassist Paul Gray.

Behind the player

Anthrax scare, 3rd November 2008

Planet Drum uses branded drums (Gope, Meinl, LP, Pearl, etc..) built to the highest safety standards for its Latin percussion and Samba workshops. See: Meinl

Global Drum Project US Tour 2008

This tour brings Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju, and Giovanni Hidalgo together again in a reunion sparked by the 15th anniversary of the ground-breaking album Planet Drum. See: Global Drum Project

Rod Youngs masterclass, Saturday 18th October 2008

Rod Youngs is a musician, composer and educator of immense talent and refinement. His carreer has spanned over two decades and taken him to over thirty countries. See: Rod Youngs

Babatunde Lea masterclass, Saturday 27th September 2008

Babatunde Lea is a Bay Area percussionist, and an established session musician. He has worked alongside Pharaoh Sanders, Van Morrison, McCoy Tyner, Leon Thomas, Joe Henderson, John Tchicai, and Bobby Hutcherson amongst others. See: Babatunde

Sgt Pepper drum skin sells at auctionodern Drummer

The drum skin used on the cover of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band has sold for a whopping £541,250 ($1m) at an auction in London. See: Sgt Peppers

Modern Drummer Festival line up, September 2008 (USA)Modern Drummer

Modern Drummer is proud to announce an unprecedented lineup of world class drum artists, along with a new location just north of New York City, for the eighteenth edition of Modern Drummer Festival Weekend, the most prestigious, longest- running, and largest live drumming event in the world. See: MD Festival

Drummed up celebration with rock'n' roll kings in Surrey, August 2008 Modern

Planet Drum is over the moon to announce the wedding party of drummer Alain Maurel with Sunflora queen Inbal Smali! Bill Clift from Robert Plant and David Bowie's fame will provide the live music with his great rock and roll band. Numerous musical and non musical guests are expected to take part in the bash in Chobham this week end to celebrate!

Martin "magic" Johnson masterclass, Saturday 26th July 2008

Whether you are into Rock, Metal, Funk or Jazz, you will find food for thought as Martin masters all of them! This small masterclass is open to all levels, however there are only 8 tickets available! See: Martin Johnson

Sheila Escovedo update

One night, when Sheila was 15, one of the percussionists in Azteca was sick. She asked her father if she could sit in. At one point during the set, he turned to her to take a solo. She didn’t know what to do but she just closed her eyes and played. See: Sheila Escovedo

Pearl day, Sunday 1st June 2008

Nottingham East Midlands conferencecentre. Performances throughout the day from Jerry Brown (Girls aloud, Will Young), Jimmy Degrasso (Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies), Robin Guy, and the legend himself Mr Ian Paice (Deep Purple). See: Pearl website

Satin Singh workshop, 26 April 2008

Special Planet Drum masterclass with percussion ace Satin Singh. Satin has played with many artists including Stevie Wonder, Stevie Winwood, Supergrass, Katie Melua, Dionne Warwick... See: Satin Singh

Beat of different drummers

"Taiko is not only about beating out rhythms with such joy and exuberance that the walls vibrate and the floor quivers." See: Portland Taiko

Chili Peppers drummer keeps busy while band rests

"Chad Smith is making his case as the hardest working man -- or at least drummer -- in show biz these days. Just don't expect any of that work to be with the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a while." See: Chad Smith

George Wallis Maracatu workshop, 15 March 2008

This small class workshop will deal with Maracatu and its applications to the drumset and percussion instruments. Maracatu is one of the fundamental rhythms of Brazilian popular music. See: George Wallis

Eric Thomas Drumkit and Percussion workshop, 26th January 2008

This workshop will deal with Afro-Latin and dance rhythms for drummers and percussionnists. Kit drummers will learn how to incorporate a percussion set up with the drumset. Percussionists will learn how to play and "lock in" with the drumset. See: Eric Thomas

Albert Vila Flamenco Cajon Course

Albert Vila will be hosting a Flamenco Cajon course at the Planet Drum starting 26th January 2008. Main flamenco styles will be covered as well as cajon technique and, of course, many ideas to apply flamenco concepts to contemporary styles. You can find more information about this workshop and Albert at www.albertvila.com

Prison Guard Returns As Tyner Drummer

"At age 21, Eric Kamau Gravatt was McCoy Tyner's drummer, one of the most coveted jobs a jazz musician could hope to get. After 20 years of working as a prison guard, he's back behind the kit — again as Tyner's drummer."

Drumzone Festival at the Roundhouse with Planet Drum, 15th December 2007

Drumzone is a day-long drumming festival. Whether you are a beginner or an aspiring professional percussionist, there will be a project to inspire and excite you! There will be masterclasses, workshops and performances featuring some of the finest drummers, drum programmers and percussionists from the worlds of Rock, Funk, Pop, Jazz, Latin, African, Junk Percussion, Urban and World Music including a master class with Mark Mondesir.

Download PDF

To book a place call 020 7 424 8456 or email roundhouse.studios@roundhouse.org.uk

Andre Mallau Jazz and Afro Cuban drumset workshop, 17th November 2007 at 2pm

Andre Mallau is one of the foremost French music educators and performers and is the drum principal at the Perpignan conservatoire. He is coming to Planet Drum London in November to present his new book "Total Update"

The Bays Live at the Jazz Cafe 27th October 2007

"The Bays are unique: a ground-breaking act playing real live dance music that sounds as if it was produced in the studio. They don’t rehearse, don’t have a set list and have vowed never to make a record. They have blazed a trail of legendary performances across the world from Glastonbury, to Skol Beats in Brazil via a jamming session with Herbie Hancock at the Royal Festival Hall."

Planet Drum drummers join BHF event

Planet Drum students joined the British Heart foundation "the beat" Television advertizing campaign, culminating in a photo shoot and massive jam session on top of St Thomas hospital. Drumming is good for the heart!

Cheryl Alleyne masterclass, 29th September at 4pm

This interactive masterclass will be taken by drummer Cheryl Alleyne, who has been playing the drum kit for over 25 years and has worked with the likes of 'The Jazz Warriors', 'Loose Tubes', 'Us3' and Courtney Pine, to name a few.

Max Roach, a Founder of Modern Jazz, Dies at 83

"Max Roach, a founder of modern jazz who rewrote the rules of drumming in the 1940’s and spent the rest of his career breaking musical barriers and defying listeners’ expectations, died early today in Manhattan."

Mike Bennett Afro-Cuban percussion workshop, Saturday 25 August 2007

Mike is the author of two booklets based on the latin percussion courses taught at the City Lit in London: "Afro-Cuban beats" (vol 1 and 2), and of a DVD: "Groove Library 1 - Afro-Cuban beats".

Christiano Rocha Brazilian drumset workshop, 9th July 2007, 7pm

Christiano has toured and recorded with John Patitucci, Eric Marienthal, Paulinho da Costa and many others. This 3 hour masterclass will explore Bossa Nova, Samba, Baion (Xote, Frevo, rhythms of Northeast Brazil), Samba Reggae (Olodum, Bahia),and Jequibau (odd meter Samba).

Marylebone Village Festival, 17th June 2007

Planet Drum's workshops at the Marylebone Festival.

Funk and Rock Workshop, 9th June 2007, 10am to 1pm

Monthly workshop for Planet Drum students. This class will explore the rhythm sections of classic rock and funk acts such as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, etc.. Hosted by Alain Maurel and Tim Stone

Read the story of the Zildjian cymbal company

"Avedis Zildjian I (the first) was an Armenian alchemist in the city of Constantinople in the seventeenth century. His attempts to create gold by combining base metals led instead to an alloy of copper, tin and traces of silver with unique..."

La Rumba del Domingo, the Spitz, Spitafied Market, Liverpool stTube, Sunday 20th May 2007 from 7pm. Free entrance.

An informal evening of live Afro-Cuban percussion, singing and dancing. Organized by Daniel Marruzzo and Louis Pocock.

Tim Stone website live

Tim Stone's website is now live for you to enjoy. Planet Drum's house guitarist will host his next workshop on June 2nd 2007 exclusively for Planet Drum students.

Tim and Chaka Khan

Billy Cobham and Asere

Billy Cobham and Asere are to progress further on their exciting collaboration next May with shows at major UK venues now being confirmed

Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan - May 10th
Wyeside, Builth Wells - May 11th
Arts Centre, Aberystwyth - May 12th
Theatre Taliesin, Swansea - May 13th
Sage, Gateshead - May 17th
Colston Hall, Bristol - May 19th
Cadogan Hall, London - May 26th
Royal & Derngate, Northampton - May 27th
Music Meeting, Nijmegan, Holland - May 28th

New Latin Percussion workshop with Daniel Marruzzo, starts 5th May 2007

These classes will cover popular and folkloric styles of Afro-Cuban music including danzon, bolero, son, mambo, jazz, caballo negro, rumba and iyesa, as well as various south American rhythms and arrangements. Beginners to advanced welcome.

Indian Percussion Workshops 5 April 2007

masterclasses and participatory workshops will explore the rich tradition of Indian percussion and drums. Participants will learn exhilarating new skills direct from members of the cast and gain insights into the extraordinary artistry of contemporary Indian music. Book on 0870 389 1846. Venue: The Roundhouse

Grunge Rock Workshop, 31st March 2007, 3pm

Monthly workshop featuring Tim Stone. This workshop will be focused on the music of the band Nirvana and Dave Grohl's drum parts. Tim Stone has played guitar with Rick Wakeman, Chaka Khan, Phil Collins, Jethro Tull and many others. Venue: Planet Drum room 1.

Jennifer Denitto gigs March 2007

"Female drummer Jennifer Denitto, one of Planet Drum's star students, embarks on various tours with a few of her many bands. Friday 16 March - The Venue in New Cross supporting One More Grain, Sunday 18 Mar - Guided Missile Presents.. Word to Your Mother at The Buffalo Bar, Highbury Corner."

BBC Radio Planet Drum Special, Saturday 3rd February 2007 1pm

Join DJ Dev of BBC's 1Xtra FM for a Planet Drum special. Hear how Dev got on learning how to play the drums for "Don't Knock It Til You Try It"! He loved it! Listen to interview and jam session: Planet Drum on BBC 1Xtra

New All Saints video casting with Planet Drum. Single is out on 26th February 2007

Partizan productions arranged the audition for the many drummers featuring in the new All Saints video with Planet Drum and Scar Studios.

Dan Ecclestone Planet Drum Workshop, 27th January 2007 4pm

Funk and Soul rhythms with Dan Ecclestone, the brain and piano player behind the Delphy project. Be prepared for a good sweat!

La Rumba del Domingo, the Spitz, Spitafied Market, Liverpool stTube, 21st January 2007 from 5pm. Free entrance.

An informal evening of live Afro-Cuban percussion, singing and dancing. Organized by Daniel Marruzzo and Louis Pocock.

Planet Drum 10 year birthday, Camden, Saturday 16 December 2006

Planet Drum is now officialy 10 years old! The end of the year party featured a live playing workshop with Human Cactus, a Bristol based band featuring student of the year Mike Redpath. Other acts included Rumbackney with Louis Pocock and Daniel Marruzzo.

Children Classic concerts, Barbican, Sunday 10th December 12:30pm

Planet Drum drumming workshop for children opening the young drummers Classic Concerts. The concerts featured the National Symphony Orchestra, with John Owen Edwards as conductor, the Vacani Ballet school and St Margaret's School Choir. The event was presented by Atarah Ben-Tovim. See:children concerts

Watch a video of the Barbican children drumming workshop: Kids Drumming

Tim Stone Planet Drum Workshop, 25th November 2006 4pm

Tim Stone is at it again! Tim's new album is finally coming out at Christmas after months of hard labour and hundreds of ham sandwiches and strong tea. Tim will team with his magic groove box and Louis Pocock for an exciting Saturday afternoon with Planet Drum students. Tim Stone has played guitar with Rick Wakeman, Chaka Khan, Phil Collins, Jethro Tull and many others.

Artie Fishel and the promised band, JAGZ, Ascot, 4th November 2006

"In this band, bristling with aka's, saxophonist Gilad Atzmon (Artie Fishel), posing here as an hyperactive musician, attempting to convince his audience that jazz has nothing to with America and is a Jewish musical art form born in the ghettos of Eastern Europe. Of course, those who have seen Gilad in action before have come to accept his madcap humour, pretentious musical themes and controversial political views."

" But all the fooling around, crazy dress, funny wigs and hats were just a masquerade for some superb jazz, played by four exceptionally fine musicians; Atzmon, playing alto sax and clarinet; John Turville (aka McGoy Tyner), who excelled on piano, keyboards and a battered Fender Rhodes; Yaron Stavi (aka Jacko Pastrami) providing a rock steady bottom line on electric bass; and Gilad's long-serving drummer, Asaf Sirkis (aka Peter Forskine) - an exceptional percussionist."

See: artiefishel.com

Dan Ecclestone Planet Drum Workshop, 28th October 2006 4pm

Contemporary groove and song form studies with Dan Ecclestone, the brain and piano player behind the Delphy project. Topics and styles covered: funk, Samba, Rock'n'roll and Cha-cha. Be prepared for a good sweat!

Julian Saul Planet Drum Jazz Workshop, 1st October 2006 at 2pm

This workshop will encompass an overview of the role of the drummer within the context of a jazz group, with a piano trio as a working example. Julian learned drums from scratch at Planet Drum and is now an established player on the jazz scene.

Babatunde Lea Masterclass, 31st July 2006

Babatunde Lea is a Bay Area percussionist, and an established session musician. He has worked alongside Pharaoh Sanders, Van Morrison, McCoy Tyner, Leon Thomas, Joe Henderson, John Tchicai, and Bobby Hutcherson amongst others. This masterclass was hosted by Louis Pocock of Planet Drum.

Watch video: Babatunde

Rhythm Sticks Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Hall

Planet Drum's drumkit and percussion workshops at the Riverside room, Queen Elizabeth hall, on 15th and 16th July 2006. Private lessons on 22nd and 23rd July.

Watch video: Rhythm Sticks

Delphy, El Paso, Shoreditch, 9th May 2006

"The basement of El Paso Restaurant in Old Street seemed the right place for smoky, down-tempo sounds, what with the deep, deep sofas and artfully vague slide projections. But when Delphy played there last Tuesday they blew the cobwebs out and made you sit up straight. Having temporarily put their string section to one side, the new-look seven piece pack a fair punch, improvising and extending on main-man and pianist Dan Ecclestone's original charts."

"Theirs is a peculiarly dark kind of groove, held down by drummer Alain Maurel's booming afro-cuban beats and Tom Mansi's solid and unfussy double bass. The bass clarinet and flute weave together contrapuntally while the trumpet and sax swoop overhead. Singer Lara Frankel tells tales of car journeys in the rain while Ecclestone nods approvingly."

"Championed most recently by DJ Mike Chadwick on Smooth FM, this is a band attempting something new and for that reason alone worth your attention."

Clark Tracey, JAGZ, Ascot, 14th May 2006

"This is a roaring band that demands your attention. Clark has assembled an exciting team of young, highly talented musicians who play with commitment, verve and a great sense of fun. Mark Armstrong is on trumpet, Simon Allen on alto and tenor saxophone, Zoe Rahman (piano), Peter Billington (bass) and, of course, Clark Tracey (drums)."

"Together they play a pleasingly varied set, the themes typically giving rise to whip-smart statements followed by vigorous, fleet solos impeccably driven by Tracey's rumbustious but unfussily neat drumming, which characteristically manages to combine controlled power with constant alertness to nuance. Sudden tempo-changes, double-time passages (Simon Allen's tenor especially adept at these) and variations of mood and texture abound, but all are presented with such ease and informality by this intelligently interactive band that the resulting album is a satisyingly coherent statement from a unit that, for infectious entertainment value firmly grounded in the core jazz values of swing, unaffected virtuosity and originality, is one of the most immediately enjoyable on the current scene."

Lew Soloff quartet, Ronnie Scotts, 8th March 2006

The end of an era in Frith Street. After Saturday’s last set, the doors will close as the new regime of the glam Old Vic owner Sally Greene embarks on major renovations. I understand it will be June before the work is complete. Despite his reputation as a high-note specialist, Soloff held himself in check during the opening set. But there was no shortage of brisk, peppery runs, especially on Orgone (known simply as Gone on the classic Gil-Miles recording of Porgy and Bess.) Locke’s double-mallet technique formed a mellow but agile contrast, while the presence of the formidable drummer Jeff "tain"Watts ensured that the quartet never lacked for muscle. Francois Moutin’s double bass effortlessly kept pace.

Peter Erskine Clinic, 13 february 2006

The Planet Drum students and tutors attended the Peter Erskine clinic at the Royal academy of music. The event was sponsored by Zildjian cymbals. We had a fabulous time that evening, Peter was on top form and played magnificently. It was a real privilege to see and hear him with a very nice sounding big band featuring the academy's jazz students. Some of these young players will be amongst tomorrow's top players no doubt. Mr Erskine is also a talented composer and arranger.

Snowboy and his Latin band, Live at the Jazz Cafe, 18th February 2006

Snowboy was on top form, so was his latin band featuring Dave Pattman on bongos and Davide Giovanini on kit. Davide is an incredible drummer with amazing technique, one of the best latin players I have ever come across. On top of that he sings and plays at the same time, which is no small feat... Davide is also drumming for Steve Winwood. Snowboy was true to himself, a top entertainer and a conga player with a great sound. Don't miss these guys next time they play live!