Istanbul Agop & Ahead Armor Endorsees

Over the past year we have had the honour of meeting some fantastic players and people. We've also had the added bonus of some of these great guys becoming endorsees for our top lines. So check out some of the guys below!

Samson Jatto (Istanbul Agop)

‪HAVING BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH DRUMS AGED 13 AND ALSO HAILING FROM THE VIBRANT CREATIVE HUB THAT IS SHOREDITCH, SAMSON JATTO HAS FOUND HIMSELF IMMERSED IN MUSIC FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEMBER. ‬
‪He has been privileged enough to play for mainstream artists; ‘Taio Cruz’ and ‘Devlin’ and currently aged 23, plays for rising star ‘Maverick Sabre’ who recently has released an album and headlined his own UK tour and is also playing for new Electric Soul singer Jessie Ware‬

Rick Henry (Ahead Armor Cases)
Rick Henry is the perfect session drummer, with the ability to bend 
his style to any genre and to adapt and customise his skills to your 
specific requirements. Inspired by Meat Loaf & John Miceli to love, 
enjoy and always play music from the heart; Rick embraces 
opportunities to stretch his abilities, and relishes the challenge of 
playing beyond his own comfort zone.

With Endorsement deals from KD Custom Drums, Porter and Davies, 
Duallist Pedals, Los Cabos Drum Sticks, Lion Cajon Drums and Ahead 
Armor Drum Cases already agreed and more to follow, you can rely on 
Rick having the best equipment on hand to create the precise sound you 
are looking for.

Rick has been drumming since the age of 13, first taught by Russell 
Woods and more recently by Dave Hassell. Rick continues his study, 
despite having already received a distinction at Grade 8, as he 
constantly seeks to improve his performance and techniques.

Rick is able to provide both face-to-face teaching and facilitate 
online tuition. With extensive practice in live performance, studio 
work and touring, his wealth of knowledge is invaluable to novices and 
professionals alike. While Production skills and experience using: 
Cubase, Reason, Sibelius and Sonar enhance his value as an artist, he 
is also able to consult on arrangements and song writing.

Described by Porter and Davies as the Powerhouse behind Havana 
Rocks, Rick has also previously occupied the drum stool for Life 
Without Armour, Spitfire, The Straize and The Pristines, as 
well as world class orchestras, silver bands, Big Bands and Brass 
ensembles. Genres played include: Blues, Brass Band, Classical, 
Country, Glam rock, Grunge, Heavy Metal, Hip Hop, Indie, Jazz, Jive, 
Latin, Musical Theatre, Orchestral, Pop, Progressive, R&B, Rock, Rock 
/ Pop covers, Soul, Soundtrack, Swing.

Currently working with Guy Manning, since December 2011, Rick is 
greeting the new opportunities with enthusiasm. Manning is on tour in 
March 2012, a chance for Rick to play new venues and to new audiences.

"Manning produce an eclectic mix of music which broadly falls within 
the 'progressive' genre, but in reality spans many different musical 
forms from beautiful ballads and folk-tinged songs through to awesome 
all-out rock workouts and true progressive epics no two songs sound 
the same!"
Furthermore, Rick is undertaking a residency throughout 2012 with The 
Alan Bracewell Big Band, a chance to explore the diversity of his 
drumming skills and ensure he maintains his versatility as someone 
able to adapt to many styles.

Rick is dedicated to his art, ambitious and focussed and 100% 
committed, his motto is nothing is unattainable everything is 
achievable. He is available for session work from 2012.

http://www.rickhenry.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/rickhenryofficial
http://www.facebook.com/rickhenryofficial
http://www.youtube.com/rickhenryofficial
http://www.twitter.com/rick_henry

Lee Davies (Ahead Armor Cases)

Lee began learning the Drums at the age of 4 and throughout his younger years was fortunate 

enough to learn with some of the best players in Europe including Ged Lynch (Peter Gabriel) and Francis Seriau  (Albert Lee and founder of Tech Music Schools, London)

Since then Lee has gone on to work with Companies

and Producers such as; Warner Bros, Andy Morris (Lisa Stansfield/Stanley House Studios London), Yak Bondy (Amy Studt, Mel C, Rachel Stevens )

As well as Live and Recording work,

Lee has undertaken Music workshops

Across the UK for companies such

as the Academy of Sound and appeared in Sound on Sound Magazine and the mikedolbear.com website.

Marijus Aleksa (Istanbul Agop)

Born in Lithuania in 1985 and playing since the age of 10, Marijus Aleksa is now one of the best and successful drummers in Europe. Currently based in London, heʼs playing with such musicians as singer Patrick Allen (Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Justin Timberlake, Amy WInehouse, Whitney Houston, Will Smith, Wyclef Jean, Sean Paul), bass player Rick James ( Tinie Tempah, Wretch 32), guitar player Femi Temowo (Amy Winehouse), pianist Jonathan Idiagbonya (Carmen Souza), saxophonist Nathaniel Facey (Empirical), trumpet player Jay Phelps and many more well established artists. Marijus currently plays for Leon Somov & Jazzu (MTV Best Baltic act 2009). and a band member of Keymono( ex Brassbastardz) (The People's Music Awards (TPMA) best dance/electronica act 2011). also played for 5years for Skamp (Just Plain Folks Awards 2004 - the best band act, the best rap/hiphop album, the best rap/hiphop song, the best dance music album)

Comments

[Flowstrip]

I have been playing drums for over 10 years now but i am no good at it. The main reason which i attribute this to is that because i have never taken it seriously, but always as a bit of a hobby. But now i feel that i am doing injustice with my own talent. I feel i can be quite good at it. i have watched some YouTube videos but they are quite generic in nature and teach you things which i have been able to learn on my own watching musicians and drummers perform. I want to be able to train formally with a talented pro. Can you tell me if Rick Henry provides such a service. I am willing to Skype with him at his convenience but i feel he is the type of person who will tell me in a very short space of time if i have what it takes or not! Please help.

[BR Distribution]

Hi Steve

Thanks for your comment, i'll pass on your email address to Rick and let him get in touch with you.

All the best

Richard