MAXIME LENSSENS

Maxime Lenssens, drummer/producer/composer/bandleader started playing the drums at the age of 15 (after experimenting on saxophone, bass and piano)
At age of 18 he played in about 6 local bands of different styles. He started listening to a wide range off music, going from Jazz, Roots music, 70s Soul & Funk through Drum n Bass DJs, hip-hop, ..
Two years later he explored New York City, taking private lessons with Jazz masters Billy Hart and Gene Lake. Maxime is self-taught, apart from a couple of private lessons. At the age of 22, he moved to Brussels, looking for new challenges and inspirations.
Two weeks after moving, he got called by ZAP MAMA's management and toured Africa with them. This journey connected him with Africa and he travelled around. After that tour he got into sessioning and touring.
He was asked to join a 4 drummers band, later to be called Dalton Drum Syndicate . Maxime became the bands manager a year later. His main home band, they recently performed at CB DRUMFEST Canada, sharing the bill/stage with Dom Famularo, Ndugu Chancler, Denny Seiwell); and on Bill Brufords recommendation, they played at Londons famous RHYTHM STICKS fest sharing the bill with Steve Smith, Carl Palmer, and Zoro. Manu Katché is a DDS fan too.
In 2000 he toured Europe & Canada with the Belgian soul diva Axelle Red, who has had several n°1 hits in France & Canada. He learned a lot playing with Isaac Hayes Jimmy Kinard on bass and Charles Skip Pitts on Guitar.
The following year Maxime toured with UK Rock legend Tom Robinson (UK).
In 2003 He toured Europe with singer/songwriters Chris Whitley (USA) and Gordon Haskell (UK), with who he plays in the presidential palace in Poland.
Maxime was invited to perform as a guest with international bands Rip Rhymes, in France, Tony OMalley in UK and Marco Locurcio in Rome.
Freelancing: Maxime shared the stage with:
Tino Gonzalez (USA), guitarist for earth, wind & fire
Adam Phillips (UK), guitarist for Angie Stone, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Richard Ashcroft, ..
Takuya Nakamura (JAP), keyboads, trumpet for Arto Lindsey, Ravi Coltrane
Charles 'skipp' Pitts and Jimmy Kinard (USA), guitarist and bassist for Isaac Hayes
Neil Hubbard (UK), Guitarist for BB King, Bob Dylan, Kokomo
Mark Smith (UK), Bassist for Bryan Ferry
For the last 14 years, Maxime toured around the world, recording and playing concerts in more then 20 countries. At the age of 29, he has recorded about 14 albums.

Endorser: Since 1999, Maxime is an International endorser, sponsored by
Tama Drums Japan
Zildjian Cymbals USA
Vic Firth Drum Sticks USA
Remo Drumheads
Aura Bass shaker systems USA
Press: He got mentioned in the Dutch drum magazine slagwerkkrant (2001) and in Modern Drummers on the move (2004) in 2003 Maxime's performance with DDS received good comments in Modern Drummer after the show in CB drum fest.
Teaching: Over the last 12 years, Maxime has been teaching over 100 private students and was teaching in several schools in Belgium. Hes giving master classes world wide.
Composing/Producing: Currently Maxime busy in his studio, co-composing and producing an album for singer Nia Saw and doing documentary soundtracks.