London Drum Show First Performer Announced

We are proud to announce the first artist confirmed to be joining us on the main stage at this year’s London Drum Show will be Matt Garstka, drummer for US band Animals As Leaders. Matt will be appearing on Sunday 9 November.

Inspired by his father Greg Garstka, a professional guitar player, Matt began playing drums aged 8 years old. By 11, Matt started gigging with his father, playing rock, blues and reggae, and by 14, Matt was playing in rock, fusion, funk, punk, Latin, jazz, and reggae groups. Playing most often with seasoned musicians, Matt quickly developed into a versatile and mature musician. Also at 14, Matt had the chance to meet Jo Sallins who inspired him to become a professional world-class musician. He worked tirelessly at his craft, studying all styles of music with the help of Jo Sallins, Greg Garstka and many others.

He soon began doing studio work and started teaching privately. Matt toured several times with Gokh Bi System, an African hip-hop band during his studies at Berklee College of Music. Matt graduated from Berklee in 2011 and moved to Los Angeles shortly after to further his musical pursuits. Soon after moving to LA he joined the band Animals as Leaders and has been touring with the band internationally.

Matt’s appearance at the show is in association with Meinl Cymbals.

The London Drum Show 2014 will host artists across three stages for the first time in its history. And we’re delighted to reveal that Michèle Drees will perform on the new stage on the first day of the show.

Following the news we brought you last time that the show had expanded to two floors of the London Olympia, this news is further proof that the show is set to be bigger and better and ever. The new stage, which is located on level two of the venue and also hosts the exhibitors, will provide three, 30-minute sessions per day featuring a mix of live performances, clinics and practical demonstrations. While level three will again hold the mainstage performances and the Mike Dolbear Masterclass suite.

Michèle will be bringing her Jazz Tap Project to the show on Saturday 8 November. Michèle has been playing for the monthly London Tap Jam at Ronnie Scotts for the last four years, and her Jazz-Tap Project features Junior Laniyan, one of the UK’s finest rhythm tap dancers. The Jazz Tap Project highlights the deep-routed connection between drumming and dancing as art forms, and has been gaining critical acclaim whenever they have performed, including at last years London Jazz Festival, where their performance included a piece specially commissioned for the festivals 21st birthday celebrations. Choreographing their dance routines to a mixture of jazz standards and traditional Brazilian songs, the Michèle Drees Jazz Tap Project promises to bring style, sophistication and intricate rhythms to this new additional stage at the UK’s biggest drum show.

Michèle’s performance at the show is in association with Guru Drums and Amedia Cymbals.