\"Sabian Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented to those who have greatly enriched the field of percussion, and these three have done just that. It gives us great pleasure to recognize the contributions they have made and continue to make to our industry. On behalf of everyone at Sabian, our congratulations go out to Gary, Chester and Ian.\"

Gary Cook
Gary Cook, Professor of Music at the University of Arizona, found worldwide success as author of Teaching Percussion, the highly regarded text used in percussion pedagogy and methods classes.

In addition to his teaching position, Cook served as director of percussion at the school from 1994 -1999. He was Timpanist and Percussionist with the Tucson Symphony for over 20 years. Gary Cook currently serves as President of the Percussive Arts Society.

Chester Thompson
One of the world’s most successful drummers, Chester Thompson made his initial mark with counterculture icon Frank Zappa and fusion pioneers Weather Report before enjoying his lengthy tenure with Phil Collins and Genesis.

A resident of Nashville, where he teaches at Belmont University, Thompson is also a busy session player for many major recording artists.

Ian Wright
Being one of Europe’s most recognized orchestra personalities, Ian Wright joined the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as a percussionist in 1965, and in 1966 assumed the role of Principal Timpanist, holding that position until 2007 when he retired from the orchestra, leaving a substantial legacy as both performer and teacher.

Wright has coached the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain since 1973, and was hired as the Senior Tutor of Percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1980. Wright currently serves as the Director of Percussion Studies at the RNCM, while still being in high demand as a timpanist and percussion player.

Past honorees include Evelyn Glennie, Roy Burns, Jim Chapin,
Billy Cobham, Joe Morello, Bernard \"Pretty\" Purdie, and Ed Thigpen.