3 Percussionists Who Inspire Me!

Today’s blog focuses on 3 percussionists who have inspired me for many years and continually blow me away.   These 3 guys have pushed boundaries in percussion and are true masters of the art-form.   Click on their images below, to view their videos.

From Israel - Itamar Doari was introduced to me from my dear friend Alex Acuna and when I first saw him play, I was floored.  His independence and creativity is amazing and SO musical.  His doumbek playing is the best I’ve seen and the way he weaves grooves with his cool hybrid setup has given me so much joy.  He’s truly one of the greatest percussionists I’ve ever heard.   Check out Itamar!

Itamar Doari

From Brazil, Marcos Suzano’s pandeiro playing is so fluid, flawless and musical, I’m amazed each time I watch him.  To me, this instrument that looks so simple upon observation but it is such a complex and difficult ‘axe’ to perfect.  I’m always blown away with anyone who plays this well and Marcos is one of the greatest in the world at it.  The pandeiro, when played this way, can take the place of an entire drum kit and provide so many sounds and groove!  I’ll never forget one time when I visited Sao Paulo Brazil and saw a cat playing a pandeiro along with a guitar player and it was a huge sound, like a full band…such a cool instrument!   Check out one of the best at it - Marcos!!

Marcos Suzano

Last but not least, this guy is probably one of my biggest influences.   Originally from the States, Steve Shehan spends his days now living in France.  I initially met Steve through my dear friend Jamey Haddad, when they were playing with Paul Simon, as percussionists with Paul (Steve Gadd was on drums!).  That trio was so amazing and musical, I’ll never forget that evening.  From that day forward, Steve became a huge influence on me.  His approach to playing a hybrid drum/percussion setup is to me, one of the best I’ve seen and his way of playing drumset grooves with percussion instruments, just kills me.  I smile so big watching him.  Gleeful is the word, actually.  He makes me so excited and whenever I get down on my playing, I watch Steve and get new ideas.   I’m so thankful to him…he’s truly amazing and one of the most musical players I’ve ever heard.  Check out the great Steve Shehan!  And, seek out this band he played with for years - get their live album:  Hadouk Trio - “Live a FiP” - sooo great!

Steve Shehan