Simon Webster
Musician Teacher Lecturer Journalist Writer
Contact: +44 (0)7880
- Simon is a multi-skilled percussionist and drummer, from rock drums through classical oriental percussion to South American dance rhythms.
- He has developed a unique interactive teaching method combining African and South-American teaching cultures with Western techniques.
- He works extensively as a music therapist.
- Simon writes and lectures on world music rhythm andis a fluent reader and interpreter
of percussion and drum scores.
Simon's versatility and experience make him an ideal performer and lecturer. He was recognised as one of the top performers in his field in France, where he lived and worked for nine years as a professional musician, teacher and actor.
This work has continued and developed in London where Simon has established himself as a leader in the field of world music percussion and drums. In particular Simon has developed a unique approach of translating a range of hand percussion rhythms to the traditional European drum kit.
As a musician
Simon has a unique range of percussion skills, is fluent in South American, African and oriental rhythms in addition to most popular western styles. Through his specialised work in North African/ Middle Eastern percussion and drums he has toured widely in Europe and North America performing at some of the world’s most prestigious World Music festivals including WOMAD in Spain and the UK.
He regularly performs live both as a soloist and as part of large-scale productions. He also has a wide range of recording experience from live group recordings to session work with bands, solo artists and dance music producers.
As a teacher and lecturer
Simon has developed a unique interactive teaching method from his experiences with African and South American teaching cultures; his formal training as a music therapist; and his years of experience of running workshops and one-on-one classes with both adults and children.
On a regular basis, he combines this approach with that of teachers from other artistic disciplines such as dance and theatre to add an extra dimension to his work. His methods have culminated notonly in Simon being recognised as a highlysuccessful and inspirational teacher but also being identified by the British government and the Ministry of Culture in Paris as being one of Europe’s leading professionals in teaching percussion.
In addition, Simon regularly teaches and lectures in top UK Music Academies and Colleges and has attracted support from a wide range of teaching and educational organisations.
As a music therapist
Simon has also worked extensively as a music therapist and has undertaken a wide range of projects in this field. These include work with “disaffected” youth, autistic children, cerebral palsy patients, children with behavioural and learning difficulties and blind patients.
As a journalist and writer
Simon writes articles regularly for leading UK drumming magazine “Drummer”. Through these articles he shares some of his in-depth knowledge about aspects of world music rhythms and is currently in the process of writing a textbook on the subject.
As a writer and performer in Theatre
During his years in France, Simon ran a Theatre Company focused on producing shows for young audiences using the principles and approaches of Burlesque Theatre, music and percussion. The success of these shows continues to enable teachers to use music and acting to support the development of children in schools.
Whilst in London Simon has worked with East Side in running workshops for inner city children and is also an accomplished Street Theatre performer, regularly undertaking projects in this discipline.
Professional Experience
2002-2005: London
Performance / Teaching and LecturingDrummer/percussionist with Abdullah Chhadeh from Syria.
Concerts and festivals in the UK, Europe and North America.
“Seven Gates” album, 2004 / Founder of Simon Webster’s unique percussion and drum teaching organisation
Occasional drummer/percussionist with Rolf Harris. Towersey and Edinburgh festivals, 2005 / Permanent lecturer at GuildfordMusicAcademy for post-graduate students of percussion and drums
Drummer/ percussionist with Hassan Erraji from Morocco. / Guest Lecturer and Master Class teacher at a range of Music Academies throughout the UK
Drummer/percussionist and founding member of The Moroccan’Roll Convention
Concerts and festivals throughout the UK / Teacher of workshops for adults and children including the Access to Music government scheme
Halachela - duo of traditional Moroccan and North African music with Mouna Eddrou
Concerts throughout the UK / Teacher at the Planet Drum Percussion and DrumSchool (London)
Part of the London School of Samba and Paraiso undertaking various shows and concerts in Brazilian music formations / In charge of a range of Special Needs projects including:
- working with youth offenders for the Lord Mayor's Show (Fairbridge); and
- the arrival of the Olympic Torch on the Isle of Dogs, East London
Percussionist in Salsa and Latin Jazz formations / Theatre and percussion workshops for children and adults
Various live and studio recordings / Other
Organisation and delivery of a range of world music events for corporate and private entertainment / Experience in African, North African and Brazilian Dance
1993-2002: France
Performance / TeachingDrummer, percussionist and composer with Wolbis (African Dance Band). Performed in festivals and recorded an album / Theatre teacher in various social projects, focussing on developing inter-personal skills of children in deprived areas
Musician with the BordeauxSambaSchoolMacounaima. Took leading roles in carnival performances and stage shows / Teacher with the BordeauxSambaSchool, Macounaima
Musician and actor with Akima Theatre Company / Percussion teacher for both adults and children including a wide range of Special Needs
Session musician, recording and performing across a broad range of styles, both as a percussionist and a drummer / Percussionist for African/Brazilian dance lessons and courses undertaken in schools and special centres
Qualifications
1996-1998 / Music Therapy Course (including Percussions of Strasbourg diploma) / Bordeaux Music Therapy Centre1997-2001 / Various courses in South American and African Percussion / Bordeaux Music Associations
Meknes Conservatory (Morocco)
1989-1993 / B.A. (Hons) French & Business Studies (including Certificat Pratique de Francais Commercial et Economique de la Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris) / University of Hull