BAD GIRLS: THE MUSICAL (ITV PRODUCTION)

In March of this year, I was hired as the drummer for the theatre production Bad Girls: The Musical, performing as part of the show band throughout the weeks run. My role involved performing on the drum kit and auxiliary percussion, covering a wide range of styles including show two feel, rock, swing and jazz. The role was entirely reading based and I was provided two hours worth of Westend charts. I was approached two weeks before the first performance, which meant I had to learn the full score in a very short amount of time - requiring strong time management and sight reading skills.

Above you will find a highlight reel from Bad Girls: The Musical, featuring standout moments from four numbers including 'All Banged Up', 'The Baddest and the Best', 'This is my Life' and 'A-List Curtain Call'. These song showcase the variety of styles I played throughout the production.

LIVE SESSION FOR AMY REED: 'DIFFICULT WOMAN'

I had the pleasure of performing for Amy Reed in her live session performance of her original song “Difficult Woman.” This was an intimate set recorded live, capturing the honesty and raw emotion of the performance.

STUDIO RECORDING 'HEAVEN' FOR AMY REED

Below I tracked drums for 'Heaven' by Amy Reed', a stripped back soul ballad featuring only piano and vocals. Because of the instruments and emotional tone of the track, I had to think about my approach and musical restraint when writing my part. Recording a full drum kit a long side such delicate instruments was a challenge as my role was to support the song and not overpower it. This project highlights my musical sensitivity and my ability to adapt to more intimate sessions.

EQUIPMENT AND GEAR LIST

High quality equipment is essential as a session drummer, as it's the foundation to creating the perfect sound.

I own a Yamaha Live Custom hybrid, this drum kit is known for its exceptional sound quality and versatility making it perfect for live and studio performances. The shells are a combination of wood and a composite material which creates a punchy and well projected sound.

Additionally, my Jost Nickel Beach Wood snare drum has natural characteristics that delivers a softer attack but still with a blend of depth and brightness. The snares are tightened and the drum head is tuned high to add more high end tones and a satisfying crack.

I also own a variety of cymbals to suit different occasions, including a china cymbal, sizzle cymbal and both jazz and harsher sounding options. I enjoy using my Zildjian 21" jazz ride which provides a touch of high ed sparkle to my sound. Likewise, my UFIP hi hats are also made to accentuate the articulation needed for styles like funk and jazz. Each cymbal is chosen carefully to compliment the genre and my playing style.

Overall, my signature sound is bright and finely tuned to produce a crisp and punchy attack with clarity and articulation. The Yamaha Live Custom Hybrid is designed to cut through mix while still maintaining it's rich and dynamic body.