BIOGRAPHY
SHORT BIO
Ollie is a Surrey/London based session drummer proficient in genres spanning from pop/rock and funk to big band and musical theatre.
By the age of 19, Ollie had gained experience in the Young Drummer of The Year finals, accomplished the highest level of musical performance as a Fellow of Trinity College London, and accepted a generous scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music. This temporary relocation to Boston, US, allowed him perform alongside Victor Wooten and Kenwood Dennard.
Since returning to the UK, Ollie has performed with established artists including performances in the West End, O2 Academy Islington, Ronnie Scott's, and Belfast Cathedral. He is comfortable in a range of diverse musical environments, whether it's running backing tracks on a Roland SPD-SX or offering his own musical voice in improvisational situations. His extensive performance background and sight-reading ability allows him to proficiently cover last-minute dep gigs.
As well as live performance, Ollie regularly works in the studio to create and record drum tracks. He has had experience at Berklee College of Music Studio A (Boston, US) and The Bunker (Hertfordshire, UK) amongst other locations, and provides high quality drum tracks from his home studio.
Alongside his freelance work, Ollie started a PhD in Music at the University of Surrey in 2021 with a research focus on metric modulation in contemporary drum practice.
EXTENDED BIO
My introduction to drumming was through my older sister who was having drum lessons at school, and when I was aged 7, I began lessons with my drum teacher Omar Hayes.
When I was 13 I achieved my grade 8 with distinction.
My drum teacher and I then worked through my ATCL (Associate) recital preparation which I completed with distinction in July 2015
On 18th December 2016 I completed my LTCL (Licentiate) qualification. For this diploma I wrote the drum kit part for one of the pieces.
ATCL Recital Kit 2015
I was a finalist in the Yamaha #Futurebeat competition 2016, and the Young Drummer of the Year Competition 2017.
YDOTY Finals 2017
In 2017 I played drum kit and percussion for SCYJO (Surrey County Youth Jazz Orchestra).
Caterham Jazz Festival 2017
I am a Fellow of Trinity College London after completing the FTCL (Fellowship) qualification in 2019.
FTCL Certificate (2019)
As of January 2021, I became a contributor to the Trinity College syllabus, with "Procrastination" included within the FTCL diploma repertoire list.
I have had experience in a number of ensembles, playing Jazz, Funk, R&B, Gospel, Fusion, Metal, Progressive Rock, Indie, Big Band, Brass Band, Dixieland, Orchestra and Musical Theatre.
Get Woking Loud 2019
Kenwood Dennard (Jaco Pastorius, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock)
I studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, US. This experience enabled me to play alongside highly accomplished musicians from across the world, and study with top educators including Kenwood Dennard, John Ramsay and Victor Wooten. Within the first 6 weeks I was introduced to the "Alan Dawson Golden Circle Program", which as Dennard explained, allowed him to "convey anecdotal career experience and philosophical concepts concerning my approach to drumming."
From the Trinity College London FTCL Diploma Drum Kit Repertoire List
In April 2021, I began studying for a Music PhD at the University of Surrey whilst balancing live performance, recordings, and transcriptions amongst other work.
