About Lauri
After playing piano since the age of four, I started playing the drums in grade six, as I was the son my father never had! I took private lessons and I played in every band I could in school, including my first rock band, 'The Jiffy Steamups' (I was away when they voted on the name).
I earned the School of Music Medal when I received my Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance at the University of British Columbia and I struck out on my own, seeing pretty quickly that diversification was going to be the key to making a living in this business.
I earned the School of Music Medal when I received my Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance at the University of British Columbia and I struck out on my own, seeing pretty quickly that diversification was going to be the key to making a living in this business.
Classical
So I studied to work in the classical field. Turning down a partial scholarship to the renown Berklee School of Music to remain in the vibrant city of Vancouver, I started working as an extra with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. I played new music, or avant garde classical music, with the respected chamber ensemble Standing Wave for over a decade.
I continue to play classical music to this day with the prestigious Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
I continue to play classical music to this day with the prestigious Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
Drum Set
A mainstay in my somewhat eclectic career has been my love of the drum set, the instrument I started with and which continues to fuel my passion. Many projects have come and gone over the years and every one of them has moulded who I am as a player. One of my current favourites is The New Orleans Ale Stars, a hot little five piece that won the Jeff Healey award for best traditional jazz album in Canada in 2007. We play regularly in our home towns of Vancouver and Whistler, BC.
This band has had various personnel over the years and currently, we have melded the core ensemble with legends of the traditional jazz scene from California. The new configuration Hoppin' Mad has a fabulous recording available and enjoyed a tour to Holland in the spring of 2013!
This band has had various personnel over the years and currently, we have melded the core ensemble with legends of the traditional jazz scene from California. The new configuration Hoppin' Mad has a fabulous recording available and enjoyed a tour to Holland in the spring of 2013!
Hand Drums
I was lured into playing World music and soon discovered the joy of playing hand drums! I've studied and taken workshops with teachers such as Trichy Shankaran and Glen Velez, and picked up a lot of stuff on my own and from watching other players.
I've also picked up a lot of instruments in my travels, from dumbeks in Turkey to temple bowls in Japan. Some of my favourite hand drums are the African djembe and the middle eastern tar drum, pictured here at left.
I've also picked up a lot of instruments in my travels, from dumbeks in Turkey to temple bowls in Japan. Some of my favourite hand drums are the African djembe and the middle eastern tar drum, pictured here at left.
Winter Harp
You can see the magic that one can create with drums, shakers and bells in the remarkably
inspirational Celtic seasonal ensemble, Winter Harp. I have been working with these amazing musicians and weavers of myth and magic for a dozen years now, and hope to be doing this when they have to wheel me out on stage!
inspirational Celtic seasonal ensemble, Winter Harp. I have been working with these amazing musicians and weavers of myth and magic for a dozen years now, and hope to be doing this when they have to wheel me out on stage!
Education
As for my current state, I have a young daughter named Scarlet who takes over a lot of my time and energy that I'm totally grooming to play the drums!
I continue to work with a variety of projects including the favourites mentioned above and to promote my theatre production The Drummer Girl.
And I pass along my varied and eclectic knowledge and love of all things rhythmical in my classes and workshops, including teaching for the wonderful folks at TheGeorgia Straight Guitar Workshop.
My newest venture is an Artist-in-Residence program I've created entitled 'The Joyful Djembe', where I spend 2 weeks in an elementary school teaching the kids djembe drumming and other percussion to accompany Kenyan children's songs. Take a look at a clip of the residence here.
I continue to work with a variety of projects including the favourites mentioned above and to promote my theatre production The Drummer Girl.
And I pass along my varied and eclectic knowledge and love of all things rhythmical in my classes and workshops, including teaching for the wonderful folks at TheGeorgia Straight Guitar Workshop.
My newest venture is an Artist-in-Residence program I've created entitled 'The Joyful Djembe', where I spend 2 weeks in an elementary school teaching the kids djembe drumming and other percussion to accompany Kenyan children's songs. Take a look at a clip of the residence here.
