Bertram Lehmann

Bertram Lehmann

Independent

Coming from a classical percussion background, Bertram Lehmann has always been as much interested in musical texture and color as in rhythm. This broad awareness for music as a whole set the foundation for his work with artists from around the world, including Jazz, Carribean, South American, and other non-Western genres from India, Turkey, and Africa. Nowadays qually in demand as a drummer as well as percussionist, he has played or recorded with artists such as Luciana Souza, Dave Liebman, the NDR Bigband, Dave Samuels, Paquito d'Rivera, Randy Brecker, Danilo Perez, and appears on over 60 CD releases.

Bertram
Lehmann's
IN 3

Bertram Lehmann's
IN 3

  • WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

    Many years ago I had the pleasure participating in a quartet led by the phenomenal Cuban pianist (and heir to Chucho Valdes in Irakere) Tony Perez, whose playing in the genre of Cuban jazz was beyond what I had ever experienced before. It felt challenging, yet strangely comfortable, to surf on his incredible rhythmic drive and liquid tumbaos and I remember being lifted to a new level of expressive energy and freedom each time the group performed.

  • WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUMMERS

    While a fan particularly of jazz since my teenage years (with legends like Steve Gadd, Roy Haynes, Peter Erskine, and Jack deJohnette being among my main heroes), I draw creative ideas and musical inspiration from a plethora of global traditions, all of which I have been fortunate to perform in at one point or another. Those include Afro-Cuban, Brazilian as well as African genres, but also Turkish, Indian, and contemporary Classical music. Researching, studying, and enjoying the elements that make each music tick has been a constant joy, and especially seeing the connections among, as well as differences of approaches to the phenomenon called "groove" taken by the never-ending variety of hand percussion instruments across the world remains a guiding light of what drives my creativity as a musician.

  • FAVORITE ZILDJIAN CYMBAL/COMBO

    The signature Peter Erskine 'Ride Stick' in particular has been a staple in my playing for many years, bringing out a unique warmth and musicality from any cymbal it touches. It is my go-to stick especially for Brazilian music and other fast-moving contemporary Even-8ths styles that rely a clear stick definition and greatly benefit from its dry, controlled rhythmic articulation that will never be brash or clanky. Jack deJohnette's expansion on the 5A paradigm really is great for more driving, aggressive, contemporary jazz drumming especially with dry, heavier cymbals. The consistency of sound and feel of Vic Firth sticks remain unrivaled, in my honest opinion

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