Headshot

Will Lewis-Smith

London, United Kingdom

Musician

I have completed my final year at Pembroke College, Cambridge - graduating with a 2.1. I took my Diploma ABRSM in percussion in July 2009, but since then have learned and performed the William Kraft Timpani Concerto (at least FRSM standard). I was percussionist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra from 2007-2009. I am versatile and can sight-read + learn repertoire quickly. I have a strong musical ear and an equally strong sight-reading ability. I play for pit-bands, chamber groups, orchestras, big-bands, choirs, rock/indie/jazz bands, percussion ensembles. I am an all-round percussionist/drummer, experienced in many different performance styles/idioms: anything from classical to jazz-fusion. Would prefer professional experience and sight-reading/deputising work over unpaid work - if possible, I can learn material just by listening to recordings on youtube and then attending a sitzprobe/dress/tech rehearsal.

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3 favourites

Video

Move On Up
The performance of 'Move On Up' (Curtis Mayfield) from The Murray Edwards Garden Party June 17th 201
The Funk Nuggets Live! The Murray Edward
Final Part of The Funk Nuggets Live from the Murray Edwards Garden Party on 17th June 2012. The song

Experience

2012

  • Cambridge University Symphonic Players - American Film Music concert : drums and percussion - American Film Music (including Puccini 'Witches Dance'), Cambridge, UK
  • Dunelm Sinfonia : Orchestral Percussion - snare drum, bongos, glockenspiel, London (West Hampstead), UK
  • Churchill Jazz Small Band (jazz quartet) : function band - drummer, Cambridge, UK
  • William Kraft Timpani Concerto no. 1 : solo timpani recital - final year, Cambridge, UK
  • St John's Music/Film Society : glockenspiel parts for Star Wars and Sorcerer's Apprentice, Cambridge, UK
  • Clare College Chapel Choir : playing guiro live on radio 4, Cambridge, UK
  • Cambridge University New Music Ensemble : percussionist, Cambridge, UK
  • Cambridge University Wind Orchestra : sight-reading/last minute drummer, Cambridge, UK
  • Pembroke 6 : jazz quintet, Cambridge, UK
  • CUMTS Gala Night + Bar Night : drummer, Cambridge, UK
  • Fitz Swing Band : Dep drummer, Cambridge, UK

2011

  • Footlights Pantomime : drummer, Cambridge, UK
  • Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra : Orchestral Librarian, London, UK
  • Funk Nuggets : drummer, Cambridge, UK
  • Jerry Springer The Opera : drums/percussion, Cambridge, UK
  • Sweeney Todd : percussionist, Cambridge, UK
  • Unknown Position : percussionist, Cambridge, UK
  • The Orphans Of The Beefy Incident : covers band - dep drummer, Cambridge, UK
  • Pixel Club at Jesus, Corpus and Pembroke May Balls : drummer - performing on the main stage, Cambridge, UK
  • CUCO at St Johns' May Ball : snare drummer/drum-kit, Cambridge, UK
  • Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra : percussionist/timpanist, Cambridge, UK

2010

  • ConunDRUMS : tuned/unpitched percussion - percussion ensemble, Cambridge, UK
  • Sinfonia D'Amici : orchestral percussionist, London, UK
  • Pixel Club : Drummer, keyboards, song-writer, Cambridge, UK

2009

  • Pembroke College Chapel Choir : second/first bass, Cambridge, UK
  • freelance percussionist for operas/shows/college orchestras : timpanist, tuned percussion, unpitched percussion, drum kit, Cambridge, UK
  • Pembroke College Orchestra : timpanist, percussionist, conductor, Cambridge, UK
  • Pit-band drummer for (ADC) shows : Nunsense, Wizard of Oz, Charlie Brown, Spring Awakening, West Side Story, CUShow Choir, High Society, Caius May Week Show '11, Cambridge, UK
  • Cambridge University Musical Society : timpanist/percussionist, Cambridge, UK
  • Churchill Jazz Band : percussionist (congas, timbales, etc), drummer, Cambridge, UK
  • Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra : Timpanist, Cambridge, UK
  • Pembroke College, Cambridge : music student, Cambridge, UK

2007

  • Tiffin Boys Choir : second bass, London, UK
  • Richmond Massed Choir at Royal Albert Hall : drummer, London, UK
  • Tiffin Boys Choir : percussionist - Chichester Psalms, London, UK
  • Strangers Gallery : drummer, London, UK
  • National Youth Jazz Orchestra : percussionist, London, UK

2006

  • Woking Symphony Orchestra : session percussionist, London, UK
  • Tiffin Swing Band : drummer/percussionist, London, UK
  • Thames Youth Orchestra : timpanist, London, UK

2005

  • Making Waves at Royal Albert Hall : timpani, tuned percussion, London, UK
  • Bromosotones - jazz band : drums, piano, arranger, composer, London, UK

2001

  • Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra : timpanist, percussionist, London, UK
  • Heyoke : drums, London, UK

Music

Drumming ability:ExpertKeyboard ability:Expert
Percussion ability:ExpertLike to join a band:Yes

Favourite genres

PopRockIndieJazz
Classical
Influences:Michael Jackson,  Miles Davis,  Stevie Wonder,  Santana,  Tony Williams,  Billy Cobham,  The Who,  Cream,  John Coltrane,  Buddy Rich,  Herbie Hancock,  Seal,  Nyjo,  The Pat Metheny Group,  Clark Tracey
Halliens - formerly Pixel Club
Will is the Drummer
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Indie / Rock
2:1 degree in Music from Cambridge University
Was a professional(-standard) freelance percussionist around Cambridge - performed at Cambridge Arts Theatre and at Cambridge ADC Theatre. Shows include Jerry Springer the Opera, West Side Story, High Society, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Spring Awakening and The Wizard of Oz.
Big band drummer - Churchill Jazz Band, Cambridge University Fitz Swing Band; have filled in on drums for Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra and for National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Performed at Albert Hall five years ago. Regularly gigged with a funk band - The Funk Nuggets, and also dep for musicals and symphony orchestras.
Have played in an Indie/Alternative band - Pixel Club.
Have had lessons with Ralph Salmins and Clark Tracey. Have performed at the Bulls Head (Barnes), Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Albert Hall on drums.

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