Tommy Igoe

Whether he's in the pit for Broadway's The Lion King, in the studio recording with Lauryn Hill, Art Garfunkel, Stanley Jordan, or the Chieftains, or in clinic for an audience of drummers, Tommy Igoe leaves the impression that there is no style he cannot attack with vigor. This includes Latin, both Cuban and South American, which he blends with rock in an aggressive, muscular fashion.

One publication cited Igoe as "the epitome of the New York drummer - capable and confident". Add to that his role as Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University and you have a potent combination.

Perhaps Tommy's success should be no surprise. His father is legendary performer and teacher Sonny Igoe, who passed down the extraordinary hand technique Tommy uses to wow them at drum festivals. More important, it enables him to play articulately on a variety of cowbells and toys that he weaves into drumset rhythms. Behind the drumset, Igoe suggests a full percussion section.

"Since I'm first and foremost a drumset player," he says, "I want my percussion accessories to offer me the experience and colors I can't get from the drumset alone. For example, some indispensable items are the Gajate Bracket for my bass drum pedal to trigger a cowbell and the ingenuous sliding bass drum percussion mount - a huge design improvement from former bass drum mounts."

The Lion King is a perfect forum for Tommy. The drum book, much of it Tommy's doing, calls for a variety of LP instruments. Says Tommy, "LP's product line is so deep, that adding new and fresh textures to my drumset is easy and a breath of creative fresh air."

Ordinarily, he'll use a variety of cowbells, centered on the Mambo Bell. His drum setup varies but can include chimes, Mini Timbales and triangle. On recording sessions, after recording kit, he'll play overdubs on a variety of hand percussion including shakers, Generation II Bongos, Classic Congas, Claves, and Caxixi - even an LP Samba Whistle!

Igoe doesn't mince words when it comes to his choice of percussion: "I use LP because of the obvious love and quality that goes into their products". Expect a follow-up to his critically acclaimed CD New Ground shortly, as well as an instructional video/play along series. In the meantime, New Yorkers can often spot Tommy Igoe with Lew Anderson's Big Band Friday nights at Birdland.

LP Equipment: Mambo Cowbell, Salsa Cha Cha Cowbell, Mini Timbales, Dry Agogo Bells (set of five), Sambago Bells, chimes, Pro 5" Triangle, Traditional Cabasa, Multi Guiro, Large Caxixi, Soft Shake, Claves, Tri-Tone Samba Whistle, Tambourine, Gajate Bracket, Bass Drum Percussion Mount

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