Home » Jazz Musicians » Don Littleton

Don Littleton

Don Littleton is an accomplished percussionist. His mastery of an enticing array of instruments in his art has uniquely endowed him with the finesse to span many genres, encompassing orchestral, musical theater, rhythm and blues, hip hop, reggae, blues, and is especially proficient in all styles of jazz.

His playing talents include Cajón (box drums), Timbales, Trap Drums, Bongo Drums, Conga Drums, Maracas, Claves, Conga, Cuíca, Djembe, Shekere, and other percussion instruments. A veteran of the Jazz club circuit, Don got his first introduction into music in junior high school and high school. He then took his considerable talents to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he was a member of Multi-Jazz Orchestra. There he honed his skills under the tutelage of Alvin Batiste. Don was also a member of the Luckman Jazz Orchestra, directed by James Newton. Don has used his talents on numerous recordings, including his debut EP entitled 'Collage' which is a collaboration with his brother, Jeffery Littleton. Past appearances/performances: BET on Jazz, Long Beach Jazz Festival (Performed with the legendary Hank Crawford), Jazz at Drew Jazz Festival (Performed with jazz legend Stanley Turrentine), Monterey Blues Festival, Armenia International Jazz Festival with Gary Kesayan, 10 day tour of Mexico, Three month tour of Korea, Appeared in the movies Dangerous Women and The Little Richard Story. Performed as part of the orchestra in on stage theatrical production "Purlie" (Pasadena Playhouse) starring Loretta Devine. Has collaborated and performed with Roberta Flack, Hank Crawford, Stanley Turrentine, Cannonball Adderly, Pharoah Sanders, and countless other esteemed Jazz and Blues musicians. Recordings: The Littleton Brothers Live with Bobby Watson- Collage (Debut EP), David Dahlsten- Study Your Own Heart, Karl Denson- Blackened Red Snapper, Rick Zunigar- Organ Trio, Roberto Miranda- KB's Studio in Westwood.

He chose to go to Southern University in Louisiana and this was the place Cannonball Adderley found him to play with his quartet in front of the Louisiana Symphony. Since then he has performed with Kenny Burrell, Art Davis, Andy Simpkins, Larry Gales, Al McKibben, Eddie Harris, John Heard, Billy Childs, Ernie Andrews, Billy Higgins, and Roberta Flack. Don performs in a vast array of musical environments. 

Gear

Cajón (box drums), Timbales, Trap Drums, Conga, Drum Set, Bongo Drums, Chácaras, Claves, Cuíca, Djembe, Shekere and other percussion instruments.


Tags

188
Album Review

David Ornette Cherry: Organic Groove

Read "Organic Groove" reviewed by Rex  Butters


Recorded in 2000, Organic Groove features a too brief taste of David Ornette Cherry's writing and playing with a Los Angeles dream band, including Bobby Bradford, Roberto Miranda, and Ralph Jones, to name a few. Cherry possesses a broad musical attention span, making a program of his work a musical travelogue. But no dilettante is he, holding legitimate lineage in several musical traditions. A generous leader, he usually limits his contributions to skillfully framing his ace soloists.“Mano opens ...

Read more articles

"Don Littleton is a drummer that fills and spills percussive rhythmic love all over, in and though the sound of the music. The time ticks, the brushes caress, and the stick connect with imagination, style and individual flair." by jazzcat "Littleton has a way of always pushing the music towards higher heights and coloring percussively with lightening drumsticks and crashing cymbals at all the right places." ~Dee Dee McNeil deedeemac.com

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Organic Groove

Cherry Extract
2005

buy

Littleton Brothers...

OneTon Productions
2004

buy

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.