James Pattugalan

A Diploma in Jazz Studies from the Canberra School of Music sits behind this Byron Bay drummer's range, which stretches from jazz and big band through salsa, funk and soul blues into hip hop soul and contemporary R&B. African rhythm work and easy listening sit inside the same kit rather than as a separate specialty. Corporate events, concerts, festivals and intimate venues all feature among his bookings. The style shifts with the setting: tighter pocket work for funk, a harder swing for jazz, and percussion textures suited to world music collaborations.