Rick Latham

RICK LATHAM is a drum set artist performing, recording, teaching and producing in the Los Angeles area, since 1984. While living in Dallas before moving to Los Angeles, Rick was a member of R&B bass legend Chuck Rainey's band - "Rainey Man." Latham now performs on tour with THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP. A professional for over 20 years, Rick is recognized by fellow musicians worldwide for his signature drumming style and his creative approach to the instrument. As one of music's top session drummers, Rick has recorded several top television theme scores, as well as a number of hit singles and motion picture soundtracks.

Among the many other notables Rick has performed live and on recordings with, are such greats as bluesman B.B. King, Quincy Jones, rockers Neal Schon, Pat Travers and Carmine Appice, as well as jazz all-stars Bill Watrous, Larry Carlton, Howard Roberts, David Friedman and David Samuels. Rick's versatility has also been highlighted with such top entertainers as Rita Moreno, Ben Vereen and Martha Reeves. Rick has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Latham is also renowned as the author of the long celebrated and internationally recognized drummer's text ADVANCED FUNK STUDIES (1980) [honored by Modern Drummer magazine among "The 25 greatest drum books ever published,"] as well as the highly acclaimed CONTEMPORARY DRUM SET TECHNIQUES (1990), distributed world-wide by Carl Fischer. His books are also available internationally on Video, distributed by Warner Bros.

Rick endorses DW DRUMS, EVANS DRUM HEADS, K&K PICKUP SYSTEMS, MEINL CYMBALS, PRO-MARK DRUM STICKS, REALFEEL PRACTICE PADS, and SENNHEISER MICROPHONES. He's frequently invited to conduct product demonstrations at international trade conventions including NAMM (National Assoc. of Music Merchants), PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), and Europe's MUSIC MESSE... in addition to master classes and clinics around the world.

Originally from Columbia, SC, Rick graduated from SHELBY High School, and then EAST CAROLINA University where he studied percussion with Harold Jones. He was granted a teaching assistantship and accepted into the Masters program at NORTH TEXAS State University. Rick's mentors there included Robert Schietroma, Ron Fink and Jim Hall.

1995 brought the release of "RICK LATHAM'S GROOVE TIME" live drum loop and sampling CD. This will no doubt soon become a standard among recording professionals. Rick's innovative new "CRYSTAL BALL" clear resin bass drum beater made it's retail premiere in 1996. His demanding schedule continues... performing, recording, composing, producing, teaching and conducting clinic tours worldwide.