Bath RhythmFest

As Tech Director my primary roles are to devise the course programme and make sure the week runs smoothly. I’ll be there all week to answer questions, sort out problems and make sure everyone has the best week they possibly can.

I’ve been behind the scenes at the Bath Course for quite a while now, and I’m hoping to build on all the great work James Hester has done over the years.

As a drummer I’ve been playing for around 27 years with various levels of success, and I’m now fortunate enough to live and teach in Bath from my own studio. I also work in web design so that I don’t have to use my passion as my bill-payer!

Playing-wise, I’m currently performing regularly with Bootie & The Ho Fish,
a hard-working disco / funk covers band, Dudlow Joe (boogie, blues, jazz), FattyBoomBasstic (pop, funk, rock), and soulpod,
an R&B, TripHop, DnB, Soul outfit

Mike began playing drums after seeing Cozy Powell on TV, a few years later he was playing in semi pro covers and originals bands in his native Manchester. Before leaving school he was recording with Arthur Kadmon from Ludus and he joined NWOBHM band Aragorn in 1980. Aragorn toured the UK including supports of Iron Maiden, Angelwitch, Saxon and others.

As well as extensive session work in Manchester, including The Distractions, George Clinton, Simply Red and many others, he toured Europe, completed sessions in Frankfurt in 1984/5, returned to the UK in 1987 where he sessioned and produced in Manchester and London and in 1988 endured a short stint with PJ Proby. Since then he has gigged regularly with many bands, pop, rock, big band, and free form jazz including supports of Wilko Johnson, Jah Wobble, Charles Hayward, Pete Doherty, Eddie and the Hot Rods, Lauren Harris, Sex Gang Children and many others.

Mike has also acted as drum tech for the UK’s “Young Drummer of the Year Show” in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Drummer Live, Rhythm Course, Club Antichrist and Dark Elf Event Services; for Thomas Lang, Mitch Mitchell, Jojo Mayer and Billy Cobham as well as Craig Blundell, Benny Greb, Jerry Brown, Geoff Dugmore, Tim Brown, Chuck Sabo, Damon Wilson, James Hester, Chris Bell and Rob Stroud. Mike has also performed at drum clinics alongside Billy Cobham, Craig Blundell, Adrian Erlandsson, James Birt, Robin Guy and Dan Foord.

Hi, my name’s Ed Gallimore and I’ll be one of the drum techs this year. It will be my job to help get gear where it’s going, help sort out the artists’ kit and all round carry heavy things! If you wanna come and talk to me about anything i’ll be wandering about campus regularly throughout the days, and at night best bet would be the Bar.

I’ve been playing drums and percussion for 11 years in a number of groups and bands. Most recently i’ve been gigging and recording for legendary blues harmonica player Pete Trill and ‘The Pete Trill Band.’ At the same time i’ve been playing as a live session musician for Hip Hop act ‘Gecko’ and i’m the resident drummer with Funky Soul outfit ‘Room To!’. More recently i’ve set up my own outfit Dark Matter who i’m currently in the studio with on and off.

This is my second year working on the crew and am thoroughly looking forward to coming back, catching up with all the old faces and meeting some ones this year. Take care till i see you all and hope we’ll have some fun.

I’m Andy Sutor, 18. I’ve been playing drums for 6 years, and have been gigging all around the Southwest since I was 14, playing in several different bands. My main projects at moment are an original soul/funk/jazz band called ‘Messy Subjects’ featuring Nadine Gingell on vocals and my Led Zeppelin tribute band ‘Live Zeppelin‘ .

I’m currently studying at Access to Music where I was taught by James Hester for 2 years, going onto Bristol Institute of Modern Music in September to do a professional diploma course. I’m influenced by all styles of music, my main drumming influences are John Bonham, Joe Morello, and JoJo Mayer. I also play bass.

I’ll be part of the drum tech crew in August.

Hi I’m Dave (Jones), ‘the official photographer’ for the Rhythm course.

It’s my first year as part of the crew, although I’ve attended the course as a student for the past six years. It’s a privilege to be invited to join the staff by James Hester, who’s a great guy & exceptional drummer to boot!

I’m excited at the prospect of capturing on film the guest drummers, teachers & students alike. I see my role as an elusive one, aiming to capture the drummers in natural candid moments, whilst trying not to distract them.

Drumming is my greatest passion & I’ve been playing for 27-years, although it wasn’t until I joined the Rhythm course, that I started to take my drumming seriously & began practising every day.
So in that respect, you could say, the course changed my life!
It’s hard not to get inspired, when you’ve attended master classes by the likes of, Steve Smith, Thomas Lang & Simon Phillips, to name a few.

I’m in several bands & I’m out playing in the Bristol area most weeks, playing cover standards at weddings to pretending I’m Travis Barker (I wish) in a pop-punk band.
I’m living proof that the Rhythm course can seriously improve your drumming!