Aaron Draper

Aaron Draper

Aaron Draper

JOHN MAYER / EMINEM / ADELE / RIHANNA

Aaron Draper

JOHN MAYER / EMINEM / ADELE / RIHANNA

Country:   United States Category:   PERCUSSION ARTISTS

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 breakto date. The rapper/producer/music exec had noted Draper’stalent 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’" fromJay-Z Unplugged answers his question – the fluidity in Draper’splaying is so undeniable, the cowbell and woodblock pattern soin the pocket, that you forget that you are involuntarily bobbing your head, even as Jay-Z starts chiming in with acall-to-action: "Bounce! Bounce! Bounce!" On his cut and others from the broadcast, Draperfocus is now like a seasoned player on the heartof 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, revolvesaround this approach – the product of a bornlistener.

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 earliestgigs in Philly, Draper developed a sound that works pointedly for this particular brand of music. Andoriginality 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. In2011 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 hasquickly become a seasoned pro, holding down the beat with flavor and originality for some of the biggestnames 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.

Equipment Configuration 1

John Mayer - 2019

Jesus Diaz Signature Congas

Brushed Platinum

 

11" Quinto

11.75" Conga

12.5" Tumba

7" + 8.5" Bongos

 

Music City Custom 

Masters Maple Reserve

Matte Black Oyster

 

16x16 floor tom

18x16 floor tom

20x14 gong drum

14x7 + 15x7 custom timbales

 

HH1 Horacio Hernandez Signature Bella
HH2 Horacio Hernandez Signature ClaBell
HH3 Horacio Hernandez Signature ChaBella
HH5 Horacio Hernandez Signature MaryBell
PGA40 Triple Shaker
PGA30 Short Hex Ganza
PGA32 Hex Ganza
PBL10 Clave Block (High)
PBL20 Clave Block (Mid)
PBL30 Clave Block (Low)
PFM20 Beaded Maracas

 

ICON Rack System
CH1030B Boom Cymbal Holders

CH930B Boom Cymbal Holders
D2500 Drum Throne

PC3000 All Fit Pro Conga Stand
PB3000 Quick Release Bongo Stand

PTT1824W 18x24 Trap Table

Equipment Configuration 2

Eminem - 2018

Havana Fiberglass Series
Liquid Gold 


11" Quinto
11.75" Conga
12.5" Tumba
7" + 9" Bongos

 

Music City Custom
Masters Maple Reserve 
Bronze Oyster Finish


20x14 Gong Drum
18x16 floor tom
16x16 floor tom
14x7 + 15x7 Timbales


Horacio Henandez Signature Cowbells
PBL30 Low Clave Block
PBL20 Medium Clave Block
PBRSP48694 Bamboo Rainstick
PGA30 Hex Ganza

 

ICON Rack System
CH1030B Boom Cymbal Holders
D2500 Drum Throne

PC3000 All Fit Pro Conga Stand
PB3000 Quick Release Bongo Stand

PTT1824W 18x24 Trap Table

Equipment Configuration 3

Adele - 2016

Reference

Matte Red Wine

Black HW

 

16x16 Floor Tom

18x16 floor Tom

20x14 Gong Drum

 

PGA40 Triple Shaker
PGA30 Short Hex Ganza
PGA32 Hex Ganza

PAB50 Ash Tone Block
PFM20 Beaded Maracas

PTH10B Tambourine (brass jingles)

Equipment Configuration 4

Rihanna - 2015

Elite Series
Matte Black


11" Quinto
11.75" Conga
12.5" Tumba
7" & 9" Bongos

14" Marc Quinones Signature Series Timbale x2
15" Marc Quinones Signature Series Timbale


20x14 Reference Series gong drum
16x16 Masters MCX floor tom

 

HH1 Horacio Hernandez Signature Bella
HH2 Horacio Hernandez Signature ClaBell
HH3 Horacio Hernandez Signature ChaBella
HH5 Horacio Hernandez Signature MaryBell

 

Hardware
CH1000 cymbal holder
PC2500 conga stand
DR503C ICON Rack System
TH1030 tom holder

Equipment Configuration 5

Jill Scott - 2012

Elite Oak
Cherry Eucalyptus


11" Quinto
11.75" Conga x2
12.5" Tumba
7" + 8.5" Bongos

 

HH1 Horacio Hernandez Signature Bella
HH2 Horacio Hernandez Signature ClaBell
HH3 Horacio Hernandez Signature ChaBella
HH5 Horacio Hernandez Signature MaryBell
PGA40 Triple Shaker
PGA30 Short Hex Ganza
PGA32 Hex Ganza
PBL10 Clave Block (High)
PBL20 Clave Block (Mid)
PBL30 Clave Block (Low)
PFM20 Beaded Maracas