Kevin Dorrian

I am a freelance jazz drummer and jazz promoter based in Edinburgh. I currently occupy the drum stool in Jazz Main - a well known jazz quintet playing on the Scottish jazz scene. I am presently in rehearsals for a new band, 'The Groove Cru', more about that later on though!Around Scotland, in addition to these bands, I have played with many other stellar jazz musicians such as David Patrick, Brian Kellock, John Burgess, Mario Caribe, Paul Kirby, Kenny Ellis and Colin Steele whilst the singers I have accompanied include the London-based singers Sara Mitra and Katriona Taylor and closer to home, the likes of Sue McHugh, Jess Abrams and Marty Waugh.I am a classically trained percussionist - having done the schools' orchestra and youth orchestra thing when I was a boy, but being brought up in a jazz environment - my dad was a professional jazz pianist who, in his youth had met Fats Waller and played with Coleman Hawkins - gave me the urge to forget all I had been taught in the classical idiom, and to concentrate on the fluidity that jazz seemed to offer me as a drummer and percussionist.Certainly, after 25 years playing in a variety of jazz and blues settings, I'm enjoying my playing now, probably more than at any other stage in my life so far.I also believe in helping to nurture the local jazz scene and give an opportunity particularly to young players and those who might not get opportunities to gig regularly.