Matt Furness – Curriculum Vitae
Matt’s Qualifications Matt’s Background Testimonials View Gallery Watch Videos
Matthew Furness
Fairacre, Rode Lane, Carleton Rode, Norwich, Norfolk NR16 1NW. United Kingdom
Date Of Birth; 25th April 1998
Phone; 01953 860289
Mobile; 07935 748383
Email; drums (at) mattfurness.co.uk
Enhanced DBS Update Service – certificate number available on request
Musician’s Union member
£10,000,000 Public Liability Insurance
Full driving licence
Working as a self employed drummer since 1st February 2015, incorporating drum tuition and performance
References available on request
Qualifications
RockSchool (Drums) – Grades 2 through to 8 inc. Grade 8 passed with distinction in 2012
Old Buckenham High School – Six GCSE’s Grade C or above, including English, Mathematics and Music in 2014
Access To Music, Norwich – Sound Technology (Merit) Level 3 Diploma in 2016
Background
I am a friendly, outgoing, responsible person; capable of working effectively on my own initiative and as part of a team. I enjoy a challenge and apply myself enthusiastically to all tasks. An honest reliable person, I’m self-motivated and a natural problem solver capable of working under pressure, applying a professional work ethic to all I do.
I started playing drums at the age of 8 and studied the Rockschool grades from 2 through to 8 inclusive, achieving a distinction in my grade 8 at the age of 14. From that age I was the resident drummer with the Norwich Jazz Jam for 8 years and since leaving college I now have a career as a freelance professional session drummer gigging extensively with a wide range of professional musicians, playing a variety of musical genres including jazz, blues, pop, funk and rock. Currently I play with the Clare Free Band, The Claire Barker Band, Led Free and Company and The Mojo Preachers having headlined with them at the famous 100 Club in London, also at various blues festivals and in theatre productions.
I also teach the drums on a private basis and in schools, encouraging my students to take the Rockschool grades, thus following a similar career path as myself.
Key skills;
- Very competent sight reader.
- Good time keeping ensuring the drums remain the heartbeat of the music.
- Experienced functions band drummer having performed at functions for professional Championship footballers and extravagant weddings among others.
- Experienced pit musician having played for productions of Grease, 9 to 5, Hairspray, Little Shop Of Horrors and Priscilla Queen of the Desert..
- Quick learner with good listening skills who is capable of improvising, having played in a jam environment for so long.
- Versatile. I am not a rock drummer anymore than I am a jazz drummer … I am a professional drummer.
- Good social skills.
Gallery
Image is important. Whatever you are buying it is essential to see what you are buying. Hiring a session drummer is no different. Yes, of course the drummer needs to be able to play the drums, but will they look right for the project you need them for? This is me, drumming and posing. Hope you like what you see!
Videos
Performance on drums is all about keeping time, the sound and the feel. It is important to develop ones own style of playing and I have mine. If you are looking for a drummer with sticks being thrown in the air and flailing arms then I am not what you need. However if you need a drummer who can be creative, solid and reliable, then I am your man.
Watch these videos below and then have a look at my YouTube channel which includes two tracks taken from Jim Riley’s book ‘Survival Guide For The Modern Drummer’. My performance of one of them, ‘Ostinato Challenge’, is now featured on Jim’s own YouTube channel.
