Meinl Signing Session with Mike Johnston, Isac Jamba, Richard Spaven, Anika Nilles, Chris Coleman, Santino Scavelli, Ali Richardson, Simon Gatringer, Christin Neddens and Jay Postones

The UK Drum Show is thrilled to announce that the following artists will be on the Meinl Cymbals booth at 3.00pm at The UK Drum Show for an artists signing session..

In no particular order we welcome…

• Mike Johnston
• Isac Jamba
• Richard Spaven
• Anika Nilles
• Santino Scavelli
• Chris Coleman
• Christin Neddens
• Jay Postones
• Ali Richardson
• Simon Gattringer

Folsom California. He currently runs one of the world’s largest educational website for drummers, Mikeslessons.com, where he offers live and pre-recorded drum lessons. He also hosts 10 drum camps each year at the Mikeslessons.com studio in Folsom California.

At the age of 21 he received his first major label record deal with his band Simon Says and spent the next 6 years touring the world. During that time, he received a gold record for his contributions to the Varsity Blues soundtrack and appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman as well as on MTV’s Fashionably Loud.

Mike left the touring world behind in 2006 and has focused solely on education ever since. Teaching and performing in hundreds of clinics and drum festivals around the world over the past 14 years including the Meinl Drum Festival, P.A.S.I.C., The UK Drum Show, The LaBag Show in Paris, and countless others.

Mike is the only drum instructor in history to be featured on the cover of the 4 major drum magazines (Modern Drummer, DRUM, Rhythm, and Drummer UK) as well as iDrum Magazine and SA Drummer.

Awards
2013 – DRUM Magazines award for educational website of the year- (mikeslessons.com)
2016 – Modern Drummer Readers Poll winner for educator/clinician of the year.
2020 -Modern Drummer Readers Poll winner for educational website of the year (mikeslessons.com)

Isac Jamba is a Brazilian drummer, composer, and music producer with over 25 years of experience. Known globally for mastering Brazilian rhythms, especially within the vibrant realm of “Brazilian Jazz,” Isac Jamba’s influence goes beyond his performances. He stands out as a prominent music educator, sharing his expertise with audiences worldwide through enriching educational tours.

He also conducts Workshops and Master Classes in various countries, sharing his musical and educational expertise. Isac is also committed to social projects, teaching drumming to underprivileged and special-needs children, using music as a tool for inclusion and development.

Isac is a prolific composer, with numerous tracks released on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Deezer. His compositions are renowned for their versatility, inspiration, and ability to convey emotions through music.

Forging his own path into the future… With roots in the U.K. club and hip-hop scenes, Richard Spaven brings a fresh approach to the instrument that’s at once modern and traditional. Combining machine-like accuracy with jazz-influenced improvisational sensibilities, Spaven’s drumming has landed him gigs with vastly varied artists such as UK rapper Loyle Carner, Guru of hip-hop duo Gang Starr, producer Flying Lotus, jazz/hip-hop vocalist José James and Brainfeeder artist Jameszoo.

Spaven’s brilliance is evident beyond his world-class performance abilities; he’s equally impressive in production and compositional territories. And most recently, the drummer released his fifth solo record, ‘Spirit Beats’, which once again showcases his multifaceted talent. Spaven’s signature drum sound often sees him combine high-pitched, crisp snares; round, jazzy toms; and small, punchy bass drums. His cymbal choices are a sonic contrast of dry, lower-pitched hi-hats, rides, and crashes. Altogether, the drummer’s tone could be described as a nod to the past while keeping an ear toward the future.

Much like his compositions, Spaven’s drumming is elusive and genre-defying. He often avoids conventional downbeats and cadences in favor of sneaky syncopations and the types of sonic glitches you might hear from a deejay. No 16th note is left unturned within some of his drum ’n’ bass–and dubstep–influenced explorations. Words by Terry Branam / Modern Drummer.

Anika built up a name for herself as a Youtube sensation, boasting almost 20 million views on her drum videos featuring original compositions, as well as being a solo artist touring through Europe, China and North America. Anika’s playing style is distinguished by her strong groove, her finesse in technique, and her unique sound!

Her use of the drum set as an expressive instrument rather than just a rhythm keeper allows for some extravagant playing without stealing the focus away from the music. She has released various singles, as well as a debut album “Pikalar” (under Sakurai Records), all of which earned spaces on several of the top music charts all around the world. Upon release, “Pikalar” was immediately listed on the ‘iTunes 200 Top Rock Releases’ chart in the USA and climbed its way to number 113 (a remarkable feat for a mostly instrumental album). Well known in the drumming community, Anika won the ‘Modern Drummer Readers Poll’ for ‘Up And Coming Artist’ as well as ‘#1 Rising Star’ in “DRUM!” Magazine in 2015 and 2016 as well as beeing voted to `#3 for best educator`on UK drummies awards in 2017.

She made it 2 times on #2 for best fusion Drummer by “Modern Drummer Magazine” and lately She won #1 for best Clinician / Educator on “Music Radar Magazine”. With NEVELL, Anika pulled together a group of three energetic and passionate musicians to help turn her music into a spectacular live show.

The multi-instrumentalist Santino Scavelli is currently one of the most popular new comers within Germany’s world music scene and is currently playing percussion with Anika Nilles’ band ‘Nevell’.

His knowledge bases on his double degree in Trossingen and Mannheim, where he presently lives.

Santino studied orchestral percussion at the university in Trossingen, with emphasis on drums (Klaus Heßler), Latin percussion (José Cortijo), timpani, snare drum (Robert Brenner) and xylophone (Andrea Schneider).

He also studied World Music at the Popakademie in Mannheim. Hence he could extend his musical fund by oriental percussion instruments, such as riq, frame drum, darbuka, djambé (Firas Hassan, Murat Coscun, Pape Seck).

Santino Scavelli performs with diverse world jazz formations, as well as with fusion projects, pop and electronic music bands.

Depending on what a band’s line-up requires, he can change from drums to percussion or to multi-percussion, which is a combination of drums and percussion.

He preferably invents his very own setup, that he arranges creatively in order to create a unique sound and style of playing.

 

 

Christopher R. Coleman has been playing drums since the ripe old age of 2, sitting on his uncle’s knee in church. He travelled with his father and uncles who performed together in a gospel ensemble.

In his youth he practiced relentlessly with the aim of making it big as a drummer. In Junior high school he earned numerous awards in band competitions, including 1st place for instrumental soloist three years running.

He also took top honours in his hometown “Music Appreciation Awards” at the age of 14 and began traveling throughout the country with several gospel groups including Marvin Winans, Edwin Hawkins, and Vanessa Bell Armstrong – as well as performing with five jazz/variety/show bands.

In 1999, Chris graduated with honours from the Drummer’s Collective. He was offered a scholarship to Berklee School of Music, was accepted into Manhattan School of Music, and received a recommendation from Ed Soph to attend North Texas State. He opted instead to return to his hometown of Saginaw, Michigan to start full-time ministry and ATW Global. He moved briefly to Cleveland to join the instructional staff at Christian Music Academy.

December 8, 2001, Chris was honoured to win 1st place in the National Drum Competition sponsored by Guitar Center, which hosted 30,000+ drummers. He then came to Atlanta to study Bass guitar at AIM, where he was pleased to accept a position teaching drums. In addition to his teaching, Chris keeps a busy schedule touring. He has toured with Pastor Creflo A. Dollar Ministries throughout the country since June 2002, and has travelled to over 40 cities in 3 countries with praise and worship band “Israel and New Breed” since September 2003.

Chris has participated in several major gospel recordings, including Bishop Eddie Long, William Murphy Ministries and others. He plans to record with his band, “The Paradigm” in the very near future. Things have been on the up & up as of June 2006. Chris is now playing for R&B artist Rachelle Ferrell, as well as touring, promoting, & performing with his band. Chris also participated in the 2005 & 2006 “Drummers 4 Jesus” events. He is recognised in the Modern Drummer Mag for the Sept’05’ & June’06’ issues.

2007 was ever exploding for Chris. He is on tour full time with “Chaka Kahn”, as well as Rachelle Ferrell. In 2010 Chris appeared with big success at the Modern Drummer Festival and PASIC.

Christin studied drums and composition in Germany (with Heinz Lichius, later with Holger Nell), in the Netherlands (with Steve Altenberg, Ralph Peterson Jr.) and in Los Angeles, USA (with Aaron Serfaty, Peter Erskine and Jeff Hamilton). Based in Hamburg/Germany, she works as a freelance drummer, composer, studio drummer, clinician and international touring artist in a huge range of musical settings.

Christin has worked with Nils Landgren, the NDR Big Band and many more Pop, Jazz and Fusion acts. She has played on German TV shows, performed at international festivals such as Big Band Festival Imatra (Finland), Jazzfestival Grahamstown (South Africa), Port Townsend Jazzfestival (USA), Colours Festival Lomé (Togo, West Africa), Elbjazz & Überjazz Festival Hamburg (GER) and toured several times throughout China, India, Europe and the Middle East.

Christin composes her own music. Alongside her social media activity, she is constantly working on new drum clinic programs and contemporary drum education material. Christin endorses Meinl Cymbals, Meinl Stick & Brush, Meinl Percussion, Tama Drums, Remo Heads, Mr. Muff products, Hörluchs In-Ears and Beyer Dynamic Microphones.

Jay Postones has carved a niche within the world of progressive metal with his exceptional skills and distinctive style. Since the age of 12, Jay has been on a journey that would see him become the rhythmic backbone of the influential band TesseracT.

One of Jay’s defining features as a drummer is his unique blend of power and finesse. His drumming style is characterised by intricate polyrhythms, dynamic shifts, and a keen sense of groove. Whether navigating through intricate passages or delivering thunderous fills, Jay’s drumming elevates TesseracT’s sound to new heights, earning him accolades and admiration from fans and fellow musicians alike.

In addition to his role in TesseracT, Jay has become a passionate educator, with drum students worldwide. His lessons focus on the more complex side of drumming, which he is known for, as well as how to compose and learn advanced grooves and fills.

His live performances are a testament to his dedication to delivering a memorable experience for audiences. Whether in an intimate club setting or on a grand festival stage, Jay’s infectious energy and technical proficiency leave an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to witness his drumming mastery.

As Tesseract continues to evolve and push the boundaries of progressive metal, Jay Postones remains an integral force in shaping the band’s sonic identity. His journey from a young drummer with a passion for music to a revered figure in the world of progressive metal is a testament to his unwavering dedication, boundless creativity, and relentless pursuit of musical excellence. Jay Postones stands as a luminary in the world of drumming, leaving an indelible mark on the genre and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

Born and raised outside Glasgow, Scotland, Ali first picked up the sticks at age 13 and received his first drum kit soon after. Listening to bands like Pantera, Tool and Lamb Of God, he immediately began developing his own voice behind the kit. A voice that focused heavily on two things; power and groove.

Following these principles, Ali has built an impressive following online and is regularly on tour or in the studio. In 2016, he was nominated for Rhythm’s ‘Best New Drummer’ and had a 4 page feature in the popular UK magazine. In May 2018 he was invited to play alongside Anika Nilles, Adam Marcello and The Drumbassadors at the ‘Drummers Only Day Out’ in his hometown of Glasgow. He’s since gone on to perform at numerous clinics, including The UK Drum Show, where he has helped highlight the intricacies of a genre that is somewhat overlooked at such events.

His current musical ventures are Bleed From Within and Sylosis, 2 of the UK’s premier metal bands. A founding member of the former and a full time member of Sylosis since 2015, he has toured extensively over the past decade alongside Megadeth, Lamb Of God, Amon Amarth, Testament & Children Of Bodom to name a few.

International touring aside, he has performed at a number of major festivals including Download (UK), Bloodstock (UK), HellFest (FR), Graspop Metal Meeting (BEL), SummerBreeze (GER) & Pukkelpop (BEL) amongst others.

Ali continues to add more educational performances to his resume whilst continuing to fuel his passion for live performance.

Simon Gattringer was born on 27.05.1986 in Linz / Austria. Simon got his first drum set at the age of 6 years, from his uncle, who also made him more and more enthusiastic about music. After autodidactic drum playing followed some years of lessons at the Upper Austrian Landesmusikschulwerk and at the Music School Linz. In 2008 Simon was awarded as the best young drummer of Austria. After studying at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz, he completed the “Popkurs” at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama. Afterward, a new chapter in his musical career began.

After only a short time Simon was one of the most sought-after session drummers in the city. Since then he has been successfully working as a live and studio drummer for various artists. Simon played live and studio productions with and for Johannes Oerding, Udo Lindenberg, Max Mutzke, Joy Denalane, Max Herre, Sascha, Jan Delay, Adel Tawil, Helene Fischer, and many more.

“Dreschheads” is a joint project with a colleague and partner in crime Max Größwang. Own compositions meet electronic sounds and powerful drum&percussion beats. Max and Simon are on tour with dreschheads on international drum festivals and clinics.

At the moment Simon is touring with German Popstar Johannes Oerding – on top of that, he covers the drumseat of the famous German TV-Band „The Mighty Winterscheidts“. Beside that, he is working in his Studio and is doing drum clinics and workshops.