Drumming For WILL SMITH | Greg Clark Jr. | The UK Drum Show

When Greg Clark Jr. takes to the main stage at The UK Drum Show on Saturday 24 October, he won’t simply be opening the event, he’ll be setting the tone for an entire weekend of drumming…

Arriving on stage at 9:45am at LEX Liverpool, Clark Jr. is understandably excited about the opportunity, although he admits there is one slight problem: Europeans have a habit of being very punctual.

“I’m still half asleep,” he laughs. “But it’s fun. You can expect some good vibes, some fun drumming, some silliness and some really cool information that you probably can utilise in your own musical journey.”

It’s an approach that reflects a career built on far more than simply technical ability. From beginning his musical journey in church at the age of four to performing alongside artists including Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Stanley Clarke and Snarky Puppy, Clark Jr. credits much of his progression to the lessons learned through those early experiences.

Church taught him how to listen, accompany other musicians, understand dynamics, navigate different personalities and, crucially, build relationships.

For Clark Jr., relationships remain at the heart of the music business.

His opportunities with J-Lo and Will Smith are perfect examples. A long-standing relationship with musical director Kim Burse eventually led to a call to work with Lopez, while his connection with drummer and musical director, Keith Harris, forged partly through playing basketball together, resulted in an invitation to join Will Smith’s band.

There were no auditions. Harris knew his playing, his work ethic and his reputation. “Essentially, you’re only as good as your last gig,” Clark Jr. explains. “If people remember you as, ‘He showed up on time, did his job, he was consistent, he killed it, people liked being around him,’ there’s a very strong chance you’re going to get recommended again.”

That philosophy extends beyond the professional world. Greg Clark Jr. believes the drumming community has a unique sense of kinship, something he experienced growing up in Washington D.C., surrounded by generations of exceptional drummers.

And his advice to the next generation is simple: build those connections. “Just the same way you practice a groove, or you practice chops, you have to sharpen the muscle of relationships and connections,” he says.

So, when Greg Clark Jr. opens The UK Drum Show on 24th October, expect more than an early-morning wake-up call. Expect great playing, plenty of personality, useful insight — and, above all, a celebration of the community that makes drumming so special.

We’ll see you at the front of the main stage!

Find out more on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X.