Aaron Draper
Jill Scott/Common - United States
Overview
In the Beginning: Like many young musicians-to-be, Draper gained his first exposure to live music in the church and begin to play the drums at the age of nine. As Draper started to develop his skills as a drummer, he started to branch out and play for various churches around Philly. Draper recalls in those early years learning “you got to pay attention, follow the service, stay on the beat, stay in the pocket, but also play from the heart.”As he got older, Draper received a different kind of hands-on musical education at Gratz High School. There, Draper developed some jazz chops and began to learn theory. This time proved to be a turning point for the budding musician, (still primarily a drum set player), as he consumed not only what he was hearing in the church and in
school, but also the work of musicians like Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Giovanni Hidalgo, Pancho Sanchez, Sheila E., Tito Puente, Jaco Pastorius, Weather Report, The Yellowjackets, and fellow Philadelphians Brian Moore and John Roberts. Meanwhile, radio staples like the The Winans, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson.
After high school, Draper hit the road running, foregoing college and taking various rap, jazz, and soul gigs, which eventually led to a steady job with acclaimed soul outfit Jazzyfatnastees. Draper progressively moving up the industry food chain played in local festival events with visiting rap and hip-hop artists, including Doug.
E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, and Common.
Mentoring: In 2001, Draper met Questlove drummer/producer for THE ROOTS. Questlove quickly took an interest in the young musician and wrote down more than a hundred names of artists that he thought Draper should listen to and study, with James Brown at the top of the list.
Questlove left a huge impression on Draper so much so Draper was dubbed “Babyquest”. He went as far as to wear the signature Questlove afro. At this point Draper was starting his transition from drum set to percussion, and began experimenting with a percussion setup in church. Questlove took note of the transition which led to an
opportunity to occasionally sub for Roots percussionist Frank Knuckles, which allowed Draper to gain some exposure as he covered dates in various cities. The more he got a chance to play out and work with bands from behind his new world – a percussion rig – the more Draper honed what would become his signature and sought-after
sound on his new instrument.
Big Break: Later in 2001, Jay-Z gave Draper his biggest break to date. The rapper/producer/music exec had noted Draper’s talent at the local rap festivals in Philadelphia, and asked the 19-year-old to join him on his MTV Unplugged appearance. Draper thought ’How’d this happen?’” One listen to “Big Pimpin’” from Jay-Z Unplugged answers his question – the fluidity in Draper’s playing is so undeniable, the cowbell and woodblock pattern so in the pocket, that you forget that you are involuntarily bobbing your head, even as Jay-Z starts chiming in with a call-to-action: “Bounce! Bounce! Bounce!” On his cut and others from the broadcast, Draper focus is now like a seasoned player on the heart of each song, and providing that steady flow of rhythm that keeps circling back to the heart.
Everything Draper does on this track, and on the majority of the Unplugged session, revolves around this approach – the product of a born listener.
In 2005, Draper would get his second major break when he started touring with powerful soul songstress Jill Scott. Throughout the years Draper has shared the stage with other accomplished artists. Draper’s resume is brimming with high-profile gigs such as: Common; Karen Clark-Shears; LL Cool J; Eminen and Dr. Dre. Yet the percussionist remains wide-eyed and humble about his success, the exposure, and traveling the world.
In the Lab: Draper’s skills extend beyond the stage. He has proven himself as a valuable asset in the studio and has recorded with Neo-Soul artists: Jill Scott; Musiq Soul Child; and Bilal. Draper made his debut in 2011 as a producer on Jill Scott’s “Light of the Sun” album with the song entitled “I Love You”.
In Style: However, he also knows that he has something special that keeps his phone ringing. Through trial and error, going back to his church band days, through listening sessions with Questlove and his earliest gigs in Philly, Draper developed a sound that works pointedly for this particular brand of music. And originality and self-awareness are hot commodities when you’re a professional.
Draper’s style, ability and energy aren’t only notice by A-list artists, but by the music industry at large. In 2011 Draper was awarded “PERFORMER OF THE YEAR” by Drum Magazine.
To Sum It All Up. So the kid from 22nd Street in North Philadelphia and the hometown church bands has quickly become a seasoned pro, holding down the beat with flavor and originality for some of the biggest names in gospel, hip-hop and R&B. “When I’m called to do a gig, I bring heart and passion, so I give my all” Draper explains.