Brandon Draper
Musician - Educator - Composer
As a child growing up in a musical household, Brandon Draper started drum lessons at the age of 5 and discovered his passion for creating and recording music while sitting in with his father's blues band, experimenting with four-track recorders, and spending hours at his drum set. Today, Brandon combines his talent for creating music with an exceptional ability to educate and inspire. Rob DeWalt, of the Santa Fe Reporter wrote, "Draper's range of ethnic styles has me hooked!" and the Jan. '07 issue of Kansas City Jazz Ambassador calls Draper "a phenomenal young drummer/composer/world percussionist/educator," and lauds the musician's recent relocation to the Midwest from the Southwest. In addition to teaching and touring, Draper works as a recording engineer and producer, facilitates drum circles, and collaborates/records with diverse artists. His most recent projects include, solo loop based performances, Brandon Draper New Quintet, Vinyl Live, combines a live DJ, percussion, loops, and keyboards, and Organic Proof. He is also a member of the Innate Sounds Crew, a Kansas City based hip hop record label.
Draper performed at the 2006 PAS Nebraska Day of Percussion, 2005 PAS New Mexico Day of Percussion, as well as the 2002 Percussive Arts Society International Convention. His extensive resume includes performances with both the New Mexico and Santa Fe Symphony Orchestras. In contemporary and jazz settings, Draper has performed and/or recorded with Ottmar Liebert, Donna Summer, Mose Allison, Ed Neumeister, Bruce Dunlap, Steve Masakowskie, Eddie Daniels, Doug Lawrence, Bobby Watson, and Kevin Hays.
Brandon Draper holds a B.A. in Percussion from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, and a M.M. in Percussion from the University of New Mexico. From 2003-2006, Draper held the position of Director of Music at East Mountain High School in Sandia Park, NM, where he directed the Rhythm Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Guitar, and Jazz Ensembles. Draper created and implemented a highly successful curriculum, focused on culturally specific world music origins and societal influences. In 2006 he was inducted into the “Who's Who Among American Teachers." He is also featured in Jazz of Enchantment, a radio series profiling jazz artists with ties to New Mexico.
Draper is currently the percussion instructor at Shawnee Mission West High School, and jazz drumset-lecturer at the University of Missouri Kansas City. He maintains an active schedule as a performer, educator, composer, and clinician at locations throughout the country, and strives to motivate and empower aspiring musicians of all ages.
"Brandon Draper is an incredibly talented percussionist and clinician. His presentations are highly energetic, full of practical information and entertaining."
Kevin Bobo
Associate Professor of Percussion
Indiana University
"Brandon presented a solid clinic that inspired my students at many levels. In fact, he rolled three clinics into one session - world drumming, music technology, and drum set! I'm looking forward to our next collaboration."
Dr. Kurt Gartner
PAS Technology Editor/Kansas Chapter President
Professor of Percussion
Kansas State University
"Folks, Draper's range of ethnic styles has me hooked!"
Santa Fe Reporter