Pete Korpela (Josh Groban, The Lion King, Cirque du Soleil, LA sessions) is an accomplished musician in orchestral, latin, jazz, world, rock, and pop music. He has worked with Josh Groban, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), Jesse Carmichael (Maroon 5), Melody Gardot, LA Philharmonic, Luis Conte, Seth MacFarlane, Ron Jones, Nathan Pacheco and Randy Brecker. Pete has also collaborated with Lenny Castro, Alphonso Johnson, Jimmy Haslip, Emil Richards, John Beasley and Don Randi. Some of the drummers Pete has had a pleasure playing with are Vinnie Colaiuta, J.R. Robinson, Ndugu Chancler, Mark Schulman, Kenny Aronoff, Jim Keltner, Russ Miller, Virgil Donati and Bernie Dresel. He has appeared internationally in Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Scandinavia, South Africa and the Philippines.

In 2011 Pete joined Josh Groban’s “Straight to You” world tour and is currently Mr. Groban’s percussionist. In 2012 he toured extensively with two different artists: jazz vocalist Melody Gardot and tenor Nathan Pacheco. Between 2003-07 Pete toured for over three years throughout the United States with 1st National Tour of the Tony award winning Walt Disney’s The Lion King both as a marimbist and featured on-stage percussionist. While traveling he organized and performed clinics at many prestigious universities, art and cultural events and at the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) convention in Louisville, K.Y. In addition he was showcased at many Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS benefits, an industry fundraising initiative to assist those living with HIV/AIDS.

Pete’s work can be heard on an award winning “Assassin’s Creed 2”,“Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood” and “Assassin’s Creed: Revelations” soundtracks, which have sold over 10 million copies worldwide. Recently he performed on Latin Grammy Award nominated Trio Ellas Album “Con Ustedes” and on blockbuster movie “Possession” by Sam Raimi.

In June 2010 Pete performed with Cirque du Soleil as a musical director and lead drummer in a nationally televised project presenting the new “Xbox 360 Kinect” gaming console

Born and raised in Finland, Pete has studied orchestral and hand percussion extensively at the Sibelius-Academy in Helsinki and in1997-98 at the Los Angeles Music Academy. Privately he has studied studio and orchestral percussion with Don Williams, Emil Richards, Joe Porcaro and Michael Fisher. His ethnic percussion teachers include Lenny Castro, Luis Conte, Kevin Ricard, Michito Sanchez, Glen Velez, Jerry Steinholtz and John Bergamo.

Latin Grammy Award nominated percussionist Pete Korpela was born and raised in Finland. He has studied orchestral and hand percussion extensively at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.



Since moving to Los Angeles in 1997 Pete Korpela has gained a reputation as a versatile musician in orchestral, latin, jazz, world, rock and pop music. A passion for excellence has paved way for Pete to continually work with many of the most successful artists, productions and musicians in the US.



The most notable touring & recording collaborations: Josh Groban (2011 & 2013 tours), Robbie Williams, The Lion King (2003-07 1st National Tour), Cirque Du Soleil, Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), Jesse Carmichael (Maroon 5), Melody Gardot (2012 tour), Luis Conte, Seth MacFarlane, Ron Jones and Randy Brecker. Performance venues include Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Sydney Opera House and O2 Arena (London).



As an active studio musician Pete Korpela is often seen at such LA studios as Ocean Way, Capitol Records, East/West and the Village and Pete’s work can be heard on multiple award winning Assassin's Creed 2, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed: Revelations soundtracks, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.



A widely diverse background has helped Pete Korpela to become a valuable asset to many artists and contractors. His talent has been featured at many renown TV shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen, Good Morning America, Live with Kelly, Later… with Jools Holland, Dancing with the Stars, America's Got Talent and PBS Presents: Jackie Evancho. Pete has also co-operated with various productions as a Musical Director, such as Cirque du Soleil (Xbox 360 Kinect gaming console TV special, 2010) and benefits with the Cast of the Lion King (Broadway Cares Christmas Concert, 2013 & Cabaret for a Cure, 2014.)



Collaboration with Pearl Percussion led to an innovative new design called The Jingle Cajon, which won a DRUM magazine's Drummie award (2010). Pete regularly performs clinics for Pearl Percussion at Sam Ash music stores and prestigious universities (such as Eastman School of Music).



Another design of Pete's is critically acclaimed Shaker Pandeiro which he designed for Cooperman Co. He has also appeared at the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) convention in Louisville, K.Y. (2003). As a humanitarian Pete has showcased at many Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS benefits, an industry fundraising initiative to assist those living with HIV/AIDS.



Pete Korpela studied orchestral and hand percussion extensively at Sibelius-Academy in Helsinki (1994-97) and at the Los Angeles Music Academy (1997-98). Privately he has studied studio and orchestral percussion with Don Williams, Emil Richards, Joe Porcaro and Michael Fisher. His ethnic percussion teachers include Lenny Castro, Luis Conte, Kevin Ricard, Michito Sanchez, Glen Velez, Jerry Steinholtz and John Bergamo.