Daniel Smithson Biography

I am a session musician, percussionist and a drum tutor who has worked with a diverse set of artists and bands. These include the likes of Jazz Jamaica, Dylema Collective, Das Brass Band, Zara Mcfarlane, Nu Civilisation Orchestra, Mabel Agbenorto, Terry Smiles Collective, C.A.M.P Choir, WTW Big Band, Jay Phelps, Spirit Agenda, Myke Masters Band, Cliff and Marie, Cherise Adams-Burnett, Rio Kai Quartet, The Rezidents, Floor Rippers, Bukky Leo, Sessions By Ascension, Alan Weekes Trio, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Morley College Big Band and many other Gospel, Jazz and R&B groups.

I have studied drumming with the likes of Rod Youngs, Troy Miller, Andrew Small, Steve Brown, Graham Fox, Courtney Daniels, Elijah Godson and Tosin Ekolie.

In 2011, I completed a Music Degree at the London Centre of Contemporary Music and have a Grade 8 Drums Certificate from Trinity Rock and Pop. More recently, in 2022, I gained a Post Graduate Diploma qualification on The MA Teaching Musician Course at Trinity Laban.

Services I offer:

 

For bookings and enquiries please contact me via the contact form

Live Work – Bands I play with

Here are some of the bands and artists I’ve done live and session work with.

The Rezidents

This band is set up by Gary Crosby. The Rezidents perform jazz standards and various jazz tunes. They can be booked for gigs at music venues and festivals. I have performed with them at The Artis, Ronnie Scotts, the Southbank and on the BBC.

Find out more about the The Rezidents

facebook: Gary Crosby
instagram: tom_warriors
website: tomorrowswarriors.org

Daniel Smithson Sextet

This is a band I have set up, where the personnel changes from gig to gig.

The gig at Ronnie Scott’s was a tribute to the great Art Blakey. We pay homage to one of the jazz greats by rearranging their classic tunes.

To find out more get in touch via the contact form

Dylema Collective

Set up by Dylema, who is a spoken word artist who performs with a live band, her style is a mixture of afrobeat, jazz, funk, neo soul. I have performed with this group at Camberwell Fair Summer Series, Pizza Express in Holborn, Wilderness Festival, Dalston Eastern Curve Garden (Woodburner).

Find out more about the Dylema Collective

facebook: dylemacollective
instagram: dylema.gram and dylema.collective

Das Brass Band

A London based brass band who remix popular funk, new orleans, hip hop, reggae and pop songs, and are available for weddings, festivals and birthday parties

Find out more about Das Brass Band

instagram: dasbrass
facebook: Das Brass
website: dasbrass.co.uk

606 Gospel Group

This group is lead by Andre Gabriel. They are a gospel group who perform regularly at the 606 Club and at other events too. They perform all the gospel classics to a high standard and won’t disappoint you.

To find out more about the 606 Gospel Group or for bookings, contact Andre on

facebook: andre.gabriel.182
instagram: andreacoustic

Sessions By Ascensions

Lead by Bim Amoako, who is the Creative Director, I have performed at The Ned in Poultry with this group a few times. Their style of music is funk, soul, gospel, r&b and neo soul. They can also book choirs and bands for corporate, large scale and private events too.

Find out more about Sessions By Ascensions
email: hello@sessionsbyascension.com
website: www.sessionsbyscension.com

Cherise Adams Burnett

Cherise Adams Burnett Celebration Gig to the Windrush Generation @ the Jazz Cafe 2018

Second Floor Funk Band

Second Floor Funk Band are the resident band at Hekspace Studios

Find out more about Second Floor Funk
email: secondfloorfunkband@gmail.com

instagram: @secondfloorfunk

You can view more of the live and session tracks I’ve been involved with on my Youtube channel.

Need drums on a track? Full drum tracking service – drum recording from home or in a studio.

Testimonials

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