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"We work hard to present a diverse lineup of drummers every year. Music media tends to pigeonhole artists into categories like metal and jazz - we're just as guilty as any other music magazine. But our objective is for Drum! Night attendees to walk away from our festival with a new appreciation for the similarities that exist between drummers like Chad, Cindy, and Jason, and be exposed to styles of music they might not otherwise hear."
In addition to this year’s artist roster, Drum! Night 2013 will feature a gear expo, raffle, silent auction, and presentation of the 2013 BADAAS (Bay Area
Drummers Achievement Awards) trophy to a local drumming legend whose name will remain a secret until the onstage presentation of the award. Paul Bostaph of Slayer and Mike Bordin of Faith No More were the first two annual honorees.
Chad Smith
Chad Smith has played drums with The Red Hot Chili Peppers since 1988, appearing on every Chili Peppers album since the band’s 1989 breakthrough, Mother’s Milk. When not working with the Chili Peppers, Smith has remained busy with such side projects as the all-star band Chickenfoot and instrumental fusion outfit Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats, as well as a long list of studio sessions with such diverse artists as Kid Rock, Glenn Hughes, Brandi Carlile, Johnny Cash, and The Dixie Chicks. Over the years, Smith has also contributed time to charitable causes including MusiCares, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Children’s Hospitals, among others.
Cindy Blackman-Santana
One of the few drummers who is equally compelling in jazz or rock settings, Cindy Blackman-Santana began to turn heads after moving to New York City in the early '80s, and within a short time started racking up credits with such jazz luminaries as Freddie Hubbard, Sam Rivers, and Jackie McLean. She released her first solo album, Arcane, in 1987, and has continued to enjoy a prolific solo career. Blackman-Santana elevated her profile considerably when she began playing with Lenny Kravitz in 1993, and continued to play with him until 2004, when she decided to focus on solo jazz projects like her recent Spectrum Road super-group with bassist Jack Bruce, guitarist Vernon Reid, and organist John Medeski.
Jason Bittner
Best known as the hard-hitting drummer with Shadows Fall, Jason Bittner gained prominence in the early 2000s during the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement. He has won multiple drumming awards, been featured on the cover of drumming magazines, and became a popular clinician at international drumming festivals. Bittner has twice toured with Anthrax, filling in for founding drummer Charlie Benante, and has developed a reputation as an educator through his work as a faculty member for the 2007 Drum Fantasy Camp, and with the release of his method book Drumming Out Of The Shadows and instructional DVD What Drives The Beat.
Street Drum Corps
Since their formation, Street Drum Corps (SDC) has blown away audiences at nearly every major U.S. festival with their combination of thunderous percussion and visual stimuli. SDC's shows are a primordial, stomping blast of energy, theatricality, and passion. There's a reason why members of No Doubt, Bad Religion, and Projeckt Revolution tour mates Atreyu all want to play with them. Why Conan O’Brien invited them to perform on his show. And why The Used’s Bert McCracken has practically adopted them as his pet band. SDC are more concerned with rhythm than genre. In their performances, one hears tribal, rock, punk, dance, and industrial.
