About

Looking back, my musical journey began long before I ever sat behind a drum set. I was inspired by my two uncles, Steve and Carl Palmer, both drummers, whose playing and enthusiasm first captured my imagination. I began playing at the age of nine and, from that moment on, I knew that was what I wanted to do.. What started as childhood curiosity soon became a lifelong passion that has shaped almost every chapter of my life.

I was fortunate to study for many years under the guidance of Malcolm Garrett, one of the finest musicians and drum teachers I have ever met. Malcolm has inspired generations of young drummers and continues to teach at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Looking back now, I realise how much of my musical outlook was shaped by Malcolm.

My formative years were spent with the Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra (MYJO) under the direction of Dr John Ruddick MBE. It was an extraordinary environment in which to grow as a young musician, surrounded by players who would go on to become some of the first call players in British music, including Chris Dagley, Mark Nightingale, Martin Williams, Percy Purseglove, Pete Cater, Dave Tandy, Neil Bullock, Eric Ford and the Arguelles brothers.

Those years gave me some wonderful opportunities, in a music world where concerts where plentiful.. We performed internationally, including appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival, (IAJE) the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference in Toronto and Disneyland in Florida. During my time with the orchestra I was honoured to receive both the BBC Big Band Competition’s Kenny Clare Drummer Award and the Musicians' Union Young Musician of the Year Award.

In the early 1990s I formed a contemporary jazz quintet with Guy Barker, Dave O'Higgins, David Newton and Alec Dankworth. We toured throughout the UK and even recorded at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London.

Around the same time I travelled to New York to study with the late great Joe Morello. Spending time with Joe was a life-changing experience. His effortless technique was extraordinary, but it was his humility, musicality, sense of humor and generosity that left a deep impression on me.

Over the years I have been fortunate to perform and record with an incredible range of musicians, including in no particular order, Ray Russell, Martin Taylor, Laurence Cottle, Dean Parks, Dom Famularo, Terry Bozzio, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Mark Egan, Gary Husband, George Fenton, Johnny Thirkell, Judie Tzuke, Mike Clark, Bobby Shew, Rob McConnell, Georgie Fame, Alan Price, Leo Sayer, Roy Wood, Nigel Kennedy, The Climax Blues Band and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, amongst many others. Every collaboration has taught me something different, and I still consider myself to be learning.

I spent many years performing with saxophonist Alan Skidmore, recording three albums for ITM Records including Live at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall with George Fame, Impressions of Coltrane and Naima. The latter was particularly special, as my recording appeared alongside the final recording made by the legendary British drummer Tony Levin.

My musical interests have always crossed genres. I was also a founding member of the chart-successful band The Ghosts, and in 2007, together with my great friend Jon Brookes of The Charlatans, I co-founded The World's Greatest Drummer concert series. Created as a celebration of Buddy Rich's extraordinary legacy, the concerts have featured some of the most respected drummers in the world, including Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Keith Carlock and Benny Greb. Watching those musicians share the same stage remains one of the proudest achievements of my career.

More recently I've found myself returning to writing and recording my own music.

My first solo album, About Time, was released in 2024 and represented a return to my jazz roots. It features Matt Winch on trumpet, Martin Williams on tenor saxophone, Steve Hamilton on piano and Laurence Cottle on bass, together with guest appearances from Ray Russell and Richard Niles on guitar.

The follow-up album, Breathing Underwater, released in 2025, took things in a different direction. Whilst still rooted in jazz, the music explores more contemporary straight grooves and cinematic textures. Johnny Thirkell joined Martin Williams, Steve Hamilton and Laurence Cottle, with Ray Russell returning alongside Simon King and Dan Machin of The Climax Blues Band. In many ways it feels like the most personal recording I've made to date and represents the direction in which my music continues to evolve.

Alongside these projects I've continued recording with musicians including Richard Niles and Ray Russell and performed on the orchestral soundtrack for Tomb Raider: The Dark Angel, recorded with an 85-piece orchestra.

During the pandemic I was also fortunate to continue recording, contributing to sessions for composer Glenn Keiles and George Fenton.

Today I'm still as excited about music as I was when I first sat behind a drum set at nine years old. Whether recording in the studio, performing live or simply practising on my own, I am content.

For me, music has never been about playing more notes than anyone else. It's always about the music.