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B i o g r a p h y

Luke Howell is a professional, experienced and versatile musician, well known as a hard-working individual on the Leeds and Bristol music scenes. He is a busy gigging musician, playing drum kit and percussion as well as delivering workshops to thousands of people every year.

 

Luke uses UFIP cymbals after visiting their factory in Pistoia, Italy and recently became an endorser for Roland Drums, Regal Tip drum sticks and Rhythm Tech percussion.

 

Luke is a member of Slamboree, The Soul Circle Gang, A Man about A Dog and plays and records with a variety of other artists.

 

Slamboree is a contemporary live 10-piece live band complemented by circus performers, daredevils and entertainers. The band mix up genres spanning from dub to Balkan, classical to drum & bass and breakbeat to electro swing. The band comprise of orchestral sounds fused with electronic music.

 

The band have played at castle and mansion parties, carnivals, indoor raves, warehouse  and boat parties, but their real home is the festival. Having played main stage and headline slots all over Europe including Glastonbury, Bestival, Fusion amongst many many others, we have been voted ‘Best Newcomer’ to the Festival scene.

 

In just 3 years, the band has built a dedicated online following with over 21,000 Facebook followers and 5,000 Twitter followers. Recent facebook posts have received a reach of over 2 million people!

 

Musical releases by the band have received international recognition with “Zorba the remix” charting at no 6 in Soundcloud’s Global Hotlist in December 2012 and has been played by DJ Yoda at festivals and Rob Da Bank on Radio 1 with more radio play on Rafio 6. We have collaborated with artists such as General Levy, Beardyman, Les Muzgueules, Beans on Toast, Pete The Temp, DJs Deekline, Jinx in Dub, Waggles, Ixindamix and more in the pipeline...

 

www.slamboree.com

 

The Soul Circle Gang have played at many of the UK’s top funk and soul venues, including the Mostly Jazz Festival, Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, and have interest from high level booking agents:

 

www.thesoulcirclegang.co.uk

 

A Man About A Dog are a fresh new band from Leeds, playing respected funk venues and festivals all over the UK:

 

www.soundcloud.com/a-man-about-a-dog

 

The Demon Barbers are an English folk band who predominantly draw on traditional material for their repertoire while fusing traditional folk instruments with modern instrumentation. The band is particularly well known for its energetic live performances, winning 'Best Live Act' at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009 and being nominated for the same award in 2011:

 

www.thedemonbarbers.co.uk

 

Multicultural artists and diverse styles that Luke has played with include:

 

Samba, African and Afro-Cuban percussion with Honeydrum and a variety of local percussion groups; leading the Leeds University Percussion Ensemble; playing with Sene-Gambian kora players Sura and Sunto Susso; Zimbabwean drummer and vocalist Bruce Ncube; Brazilian percussionist Claudio Kron; Gambian kora player Jali Burama Mbye; Afro band, Nematolye; Abatimbo Burundi Drummers; collaborated with didgeridoo player Lies Beijerinck; other collaborations with a variety of musicians and choirs.

 

As a percussionist for the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Luke plays for dance classes in a high pressure conservatoire style environment.

 

Studies in Middle-Eastern and North African rhythms have enabled Luke to accompany belly dancers including regular stints at Spice Bar in Leeds.

 

He has played on stages and run workshops all over Europe ranging from community events to respected music venues and major international festivals. He has also  recorded at many studios.

 

Luke is versatile, hard-working and enjoys getting involved with new projects.

Percussion Workshops:

Luke is well known for his percussion workshops which he runs all over the country. With an enhanced DBS, full Public Liability Insurance and years of experience Luke provides all instruments and a wealth of knowledge. He has recently taught in Children’s Centres, Primary and Secondary schools, colleges, summer schools, at university, outreach programmes, festivals, corporate events, special needs groups, adult classes and others...

 

These are tailored to the needs of the client and can include: a taste of rhythms and instruments from around the world, fun rhythmic activities, in-depth technique and cultural-specific rhythms, teambuilding and more. The workshops are designed to be fun, friendly, hands on and suitable for all ages and abilities.

 

For more information, please go to: www.nomaddrums.com

Previous bands include:

 

Bootscraper, Tomorrow We Sail, Dan Audio, Fighting Caravans, Nematolye, Honeydrum, Nomad Drummers, Wakefield Djembe Circle, Florenteen, Travis, Ashwin Thomas, Of Arrowe Hill, The Hedgerows.

 

Luke has also guested with numerous artists including The After Hours Quintet, Dexter Dextrous and the Fingersmiths, Mestisa, Ols Moore and the Gypsy Dogs, Tim Loud, Lara Rose, etc.

 

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