DAMIEN ELLIS

Damien Ellis is a predominant and versatile Melbourne based drummer, who has a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts, specialising in improvisation, and is currently studying Honours at the VCA.

Damien has performed at the Melbourne International Jazz festival on numerous occasions, and continues to play at Melbourne’s best Jazz venues including Bennetts Lane and the Paris Cat, while also performing all over Australia in numerous rock, funk and Latin bands, as well as big bands and orchestras.

In 2009 Damien won the “Australia’s Best Up and Coming Drummer Competition”, and will open the “Australia’s Ultimate Drummers Weekend 2010” with a performance in his own Quartet.

Damien has spent his time at the VCA studying with the great Graham Morgan, and has concentrated on as many aspects of drumming as possible, from rudimental, to 4 way co-ordination, metric modulation, reading and musicianship, and has a love of music that spans even wider. His main influences are Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Steve Gadd, Tony Williams, Bill Stewart, Chad Smith and Buddy Rich to name a few.

Damien endorses Gretsch Drums, Vater Drumsticks, Sabian Cymbals and Evans Drumheads.

Check out Damien’s myspace on www.myspace.com/damienellis