About Rick…
A full-time professional drummer, percussionist and teacher since 1983, Rick’s performance credits include Hejira: celebrating Joni Mitchell, Just East of Jazz, Liane Carroll, Des O'Connor, Theo Travis, Ralph Moore, Jon Gordon, Jacqui Dankworth, Sinéad O’Connor and Mari Wilson.
He secured his first West End show chair at the age of 24, and his subsequent uninterrupted 30-year career as West End theatre drummer included Blood Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors, Chess, Time, and has seen him accompanying stars like Mel C, Natasha Hamilton, Marti Pellow, Cliff Richard, Stephanie Lawrence, David Cassidy and David Soul.
His love of jazz has led to performances with many of the finest UK Jazz soloists including Ian Shaw, Derek Nash, Gilad Atzmon, Tina May, Dave O’Higgins, Rob Luft, Ed Jones, the Toots Project, Jim Watson. Nicolas Meier, John Etheridge, Jim Mullen, Mark Nightingale, Julian Stringle, Jonathan Gee, Roger Beaujolais and many others.
Television includes: Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Parkinson, The Jethro Junction, The Late Show.
An innovative and enthusiastic teacher, Rick has directed workshops in Jazz and Latin-American percussion, as well as the business of music. He has taught at many schools and colleges including Trinity College of Music, Middlesex University, Mill Hill School, Belmont School (Mill Hill juniors), and QE Boys Barnet. Over 300 pupils have studied privately with Rick and many of them are now professional performers and teachers in their own right.
Rick writes for, plays in and manages jazz/world quartet Just East of Jazz. Since 2023 he’s been recording and touring extensively with Hejira: celebrating Joni Mitchell.
He has been privileged to study over the years with acclaimed educators Jim Blackley, Bob Armstrong, Dave Hassell, Jim Chapin, Andrew Cyrille, Jim Chapin and John Stevens.
He is proud to have played and endorsed Zildjian cymbals since 1986!
Rick is a committed Trade Unionist and has been an active member of the Musicians’ Union for over 30 years. He is currently a member of the MU Executive Committee.
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