Kevin Dorrian

One of the hardest working swinging drummers, Kevin blends deep rhythmic vitality with an innate sense of super-accurate feel and timing. He is known for great subtlety in his accompaniment, delivering subtle nuances within the scope of his drumming and is both creative and adaptive in his approach to whichever musical style is called for. He is primarily a jazz drummer – equally at home in the context of an instrumental group, or as a part of a backing trio for an accomplished singer.

Playing drums has been a burning passion of mine since I was a young boy. I can still recall the first time I sat behind a drum kit. I was about four years old and fortunate to be the son of one of Scotland’s top jazz pianists. His drummer had a glittering Blue Slingerland drum kit – and from the moment I sat on the stool – I was hooked! Fast forward ten years and I began drum lessons having already spent time learning piano, but my path was to combine learning Orchestral percussion with playing with an assortment of school rock, blues and jazz groups. Unquestionably, I earned my spurs, by sitting in, listening to other drummers, buying records which featured great drummers and so on. My influences back then are similar to the ones I have now – drummers with a ‘sixth sense’ for the purity of their playing – and in particular, a ‘roll call’ of great jazz drummers from the 40′s and 50′s- too many to mention, but who all play with such verve and swing. I am fortunate enough to be called upon very regularly as a small group drummer – backing vocalists, playing in instrumental groups, etc and you’ll find me currently filling the drum stool with JazzMain and Bossa Trio

Since 2009 I have run Whighams Jazz Club in Edinburgh which has become a highly renowned weekly jazz club with an ever-evolving programme of great local, national and international jazz events. We've had a myriad of great jazz acts through the door including Liane Carroll, Tamir Hendelman, John Colianni, Phil de Greg, Michael Kamen, Herb Geller, Louis Stewart and many many more.

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