Hugh Lawrence BA (Hons) MISM

Educator | Drummer | Entrepreneur

About Me

I live in Hartford, Cheshire, UK, with my wife and two children. I am a very experienced teacher of Drums and Percussion to people from ages 5 to adult. Much of my professional time is dedicated to teaching but I also keep a busy freelance gig schedule. I have worked with some of the UK's best musicians, and many visiting US artists - see below.

Teaching Positions

Past Pupil Destinations

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Northern college of Music, Leeds College of Music, Salford University, Huddersfield University, BIMM

Groups & Musicians I’ve worked with

It’s difficult to create a full list from nearly 30 years of freelance playing, but here are a few: [alphabetically]

Alan Barnes, Andrzej Baranek, Andy Kingslow, Atholl Ransome, Ben Williams, Brasswurst, Brian Pendleton, Bryan Davis, Bryan Hargreaves, Chris Illingworth, Cusp, Dave Hassel, Dean Masser, Descarga, Dizzy Brasscals, Ed Kainyek, Edward Barnwell, Gary Grace, Gavin Barrass, Geoff Chalmers, George Galway, George King, Hayla, Howard Jacobs, Jim Faulkner, John Hallam, John Moore, Johnny Hayes, Julian Gregory, Julie Edwards & Kevin Dearden, Kenji Fenton, Kevin Holborough, Kirsty Almeida, Lee Hallam, Living Story Music Ensemble, Matt Owens, Mike Hall, Mike Walker, Motown’s Greatest Hits "How Sweet It Is", Neil Yates, Nick Blacka, Ollie Collins, Paul Kilvington, Rick Guard, Rick Parmagiani, Salsa Pa Gozar, Simon Goulding, Skokiaan, Steve Berry, Steve Chadwick, Steve Parry, Stuart McCallum, Taz Modi, The Black Shakes, The Hot Jazz Biscuits, The Magic Hat Ensemble, The Misfits, The Nightcreatures, The Retrosettes, Tom Kincaid, Tom Briggs Davies, Worker Bee Brass Band, Zoe Chiotis, 52 Skidoo.

My Teachers

Rick Dior (Current), Peter Erskine, Dave Hassell, Jim Blackley, Birger Sulzbrusk, Felix Navarro (Cuba), Jim Chapin, Dom Famularo, Jon Sharp, Alan Faulkner

Visiting American Artists I’ve backed

The Contours, Dean Courtney, Dee Dee Sharp, Don Gardener, Donni Burdick, Eddie Parker, Gloria Jones, Gwen Owens, James Bell, Lorraine Chandler, Lou Ragland, The Masqueraders, Maurice Chestnut, The Miracles, Nolan Porter, Pat Lewis, The Precisions, Prince Phillip Mitchell, Richie Pitts, Roy Roberts, Swamp Dogg (Jerry Williams), Troy Keys, Tyrone Ashley, The Velvelettes. [All at a twice-yearly Motown and Northern soul festival held in North Wales in the early 2000’s - good times]

Bandleaders / MDs I’ve worked for

[alphabetically] 

Andy Prior, Chip Wickham, Chris Stevens, Cole Page, Dave Moore, Dave Speakman, Mike James, Paul Pashley, Peter Grant, Roger Beaujolais, Stirling Austin, Henry Botham, Carl Barnett, Tommy Valentine.

Festivals & Touring

Festivals: Glastonbury, Manchester Jazz, Mouth of the Tyne, Y Not, Wigan Jazz, Preston Jazz, Marston Jazz, Buxton International Festival, Lllandudno Jazz, Marlborough Jazz, Cheltenham Jazz,
 Touring: UK (Descarga Salsa band, 2003–2005), Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Germany, Netherlands, Latvia, Gibraltar, Ireland, Spain, France.

Other Endeavours

Memorable Musical Moments