Funky gig at the woodshed
Rudimental Drums
Master class with THE Dave Weckl
Love gigging at night in funky venues
My roots are in rudiments and supporting the players around me
I’m about there tempo, tamber, and synchronicity being the vibe of every gig
Pro Gig-ready Gear
I work at Sweetwater!
Live drums and percussion for events that need real rhythm and real energy. Professional drummer with 30 years of experience, including international performance. A fit for weddings, parties, markets and night markets, yoga studios, dance classes, festivals, corporate events, and club nights. I play drumset, congas, djembe, and tabla across rock, jazz, funk, Latin, and world styles. I show up prepared, listen closely, and adapt to the room. Available for solo sets, band support, and percussion add-ons.
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Write a reviewPrice range: $50 – $2,500 per event
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 240 minutes
The audience gets live rhythm they can see and feel. Depending on the event, that might be a full drumset driving a band, congas and djembe filling a market or festival with energy, or soft hand drums and cajon setting a steady pulse for a yoga or dance class. It's an engaging, interactive performance that people stop to watch, move to, and remember.
As the client, you get a prepared professional who makes your job easier. Before the event, we'll go over your timeline, the mood you want, and any key moments to build around. On the day, I arrive early, set up without disrupting your space, and I'm ready before start time. During the performance, I read the room and adjust volume and energy as it changes, so things stay relaxed when they should and lively when the crowd is ready.
I can perform solo, back up your band, or add a percussion layer to a DJ or other musicians. When the event ends, I break down quickly and quietly. You won't have to manage me, and the event gets an energy that recorded music can't match.
I've been playing drums and percussion for 30 years. I started in the drum corps world, marching with the Sky Ryders and the Velvet Knights, where precision and consistency are everything. From there I moved into teaching and served as Percussion Director at Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, where the program won state titles and percussion caption awards. I've also coached and consulted for programs across Colorado, California, and Texas, and I've performed internationally, including a show in Australia.
Today I'm based in Fort Wayne, where I teach private lessons and play live events. I play drumset, congas, djembe, cajon, and tabla. That range lets me fit a lot of different rooms, from a groove-heavy party to a calm yoga session to a busy night market.
Staging: A flat, level surface is all I need. No stage or riser is required. A drumset needs about 6 x 6 feet, and a hand drum setup needs about 4 x 4 feet. Outdoor events need shade or cover to protect the instruments from direct sun and rain.
Lighting: Standard room lighting works fine. For evening or outdoor events, the performance area needs enough light to set up, play, and break down safely.
Power: None needed for acoustic performances. If amplification is used, one standard outlet near the performance area is enough.
Load-in: About 30 to 45 minutes to set up and 20 to 30 minutes to break down. Parking or a loading area close to the performance space is helpful.
Please share any volume limits, noise rules, or venue restrictions when booking, and I'll plan the setup to fit.
• Groove sets on drumset: rock, funk, jazz, country, and pop
• Latin and Brazilian rhythms on congas: salsa, samba, bossa nova, and Afro-Cuban grooves
• West African djembe rhythms for festivals, markets, and drum circles
• Ambient and meditative hand drums for yoga, sound baths, and quiet spaces
• Tempo-guided rhythms for dance classes, matched to the instructor's pace
• Percussion layers over a DJ, band, or recorded playlist
• Featured solo moments for entrances, toasts, and big reveals
If you have favorite songs, styles, or a playlist you'd like me to play along with, send them ahead of time and I'll prepare.
My playing comes from drum corps precision, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythm, West African hand drumming, and Indian classical tabla, along with the groove of funk, jazz, and rock. Each of these traditions shapes how I listen, how I build a groove, and how I adapt to the people in front of me.
Flat, level performance area (about 6 x 6 feet for drumset, about 4 x 4 feet for hand drums)
Shade or cover for outdoor events
Adequate lighting for evening or outdoor performances
Parking or loading access near the performance area
One standard power outlet (only if amplification is needed)
Optional: Connection to the venue's, band's, or DJ's sound system for large or outdoor events
Drum / Percussion Show