Instruments
Drum Set
Percussion: Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and Cajon
Skills & Training
Drum Set (all styles and levels)
Percussion (beginner to intermediate)
Bio
Known for his creative and innovative style, Joel Litwin is a favorite drummer/percussionist among artists and bands in and around Seattle WA and the West Coast. His credits include recording projects alongside some of the most innovative artists on the West Coast, including Tucker Martine, Amy Denio, Eyvind Kang, Tony Furtado, Wayne Horvitz and Michael Manring. As longtime accompanist with renowned songwriter Erin Corday, Joel has opened for (or co-billed with) esteemed artists such as Brazilian superstar Milton Nascimento, Richard Thompson, David Grisman, Martin Sexton, Bill Frisell and many others.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Joel grew up playing jazz, blues and rock in downtown clubs. He lived on the east coast for several years, where he studied African rhythms with master drummer Richard Hill and jazz drums with Bob Moses. Joel then found a home on the west coast, where he developed a love for Brazilian music and began applying traditional rhythms to non-traditional instruments. He also has a deep appreciation for many other drumming styles, including New Orleans-style, hip-hop, metal, Afro-Cuban, rock, pop, et.al.
Influences
His list of favorite drummers would fill pages, but just a few of his faves (past and present) include Yussef Dayes, Steve Jordan, Carla Azar, Lenny White, Alejandro Acuña, Anika Nilles, Benny Greb, Brian Blade, Allison Miller, Bill Bruford, Peter Erskine, Zakir Hussain, Meg White, Joshua Blackmore, JD Beck, Ignacio Berroa, Nikki Glaspie, Carter McLean, Questlove, Janet Weiss, Airto Moreira, Horacio Hernandez and countless others.
Current Projects
Arête Quartet (acid jazz quartet w keyboardist Joe Doria)
Tea Seas Trio (funk/jazz trio w Tyler Clarke)
Cardova (R&B/funk trio w Taylor Molzahn)
Orb Trio (jazz/funk trio w rotating soloists, including BJ Block, Brian Cunningham, et.al.)
GrooveBot (8-piece R&B/soul dance band)
Erin Corday (critically-acclaimed touring artist/songwriter/guitarist)
Batucada Northwest (8-piece Brazilian batucada group, led by Steve Jones)
Jim Page (Legendary Seattle folk artist)
Anissa Caprina (jazz/pop vocalist w Bellinghome instructors Erik Snyder & Conner Helms)
…and other groups
Discography / Live Performance
Joel has recorded and/or performed with:
L.A.-based world-fusion trio Incendio (JP Durand, Liza Carbe, Jim Stubblefield),
Arête Quartet (Joe Doria, Dave Carter, Steve Jones),
Erin Corday,
Will Bernard,
Keith Lowe,
Wayne Horvitz,
Blame Sally (Monica Pasqual, Jeri Jones, Renee Harcourt, Pam Delgado),
Orville Johnson,
Ari Joshua,
Tony Furtado,
Eyvind Kang,
Michael Manring,
John Reischman,
Jonathan Kingham,
Edie Carey and many others.