The launch of my new project, The Cape Connection, has been nothing short of incredible. Thank you to everyone who came out to our shows, spread the word, and helped introduce Cape Cod’s new event band. For more info, visit www.TheCapeConnectionBand.com.
On the lesson side, the transition from performing to teaching is well underway—and I have to say, this is one of my best groups of students yet! They range from ages 5 to 76, from total beginners to seasoned musicians. As the weather gets colder, my schedule will be opening up for a few more students.
If you’re interested in lessons—or know someone who might be—just hit the contact button to get started!
The winter has been an incredibly productive season for my students, my bands, as well as myself!
There are still a few spots left in my Spring semester schedule for private instruction but they will go quick! Contact me ASAP.
I have started a new event band of my own called The Cape Connection. Based on the Cape, this will serve a much needed void in the local event scene. Head over to www.TheCapeConnectionBand.com to learn more!
With our clocks jumping ahead, I was reminded of the numerous hours of “shedding” (practicing) that I was able to accomplish. It feels great to be able to have the hours to improve my profession, not only with my playing, but in my organization of being a professional musician.
Whether its lessons, bands, consulting, or networking, please don't hesitate to reach out with any needs you may have!
After a VERY exciting, busy, and fulfilling summer, it is now time to switch into teaching mode! Fall is a very exciting time of year for me. It is a chance to meet new students, fine tune my craft, and help shape the musical lives of others. Teaching at the Cape Symphony Barnstable campus is such a treat. It is a great facility full of all things drums. If you would like to take lessons, please do not hesitate to reach out! Just head over to the "Contact Me" page to get started. I would love to chat with you!
After 25 years of playing professionaly, 100’s of bands and thousands of gigs everywhere from Sydney Australia, to Provincetown Cape Cod, I have taken the leap to start my own project. “The Brad Conant Collective” will consist of the best players that I have worked with. There will be numerous iterations of rosters and genres as this “Collective” navigates its way through the music scene. The first installment will be 2/29 for “Cape Symphony Presents” at my favorite venue on Cape Cod, The Harvest Gallery. Offering two seatings (4:30 and 7:00) with the finest musicians on Cape. Jon Evans, Mike Flanagan, and Chris Grasso will join me to engage your creative mind as we journey through the broad genre of jazz. This truly is a dream come true and cannot wait to share this new creation with you all! Get your tickets soon as this WILL sell out. Time to give the drummer some! (Click the link below for tickets) https://resy.com/cities/dem/harvest-gallery?date=2024-02-29&seats=2
Cape Symphony’s percussion students already know Brad Conant is someone special. Beyond his impressive skills and accomplishments as a drummer, he’s a versatile, supportive teacher and an upbeat, energetic person. It’s immediately clear that Brad loves his job. Spending time with him, you can’t help but come away feeling that positive energy too.
Brad’s drumming is in high demand. “I played in 39 bands last year! Everything from African pop to wedding bands… funk, orchestral, you name it.” It takes a quick study to change gears like that. Is it hard work? “I would say it is very rewarding work,” he says. “To be able to create with so many different people is truly inspiring. I am lucky but also acknowledge it took a lot of hard work to get here.”
Last summer he worked with Billy Stritch (Liza Minnelli’s and Tony Bennett’s pianist), Lea DeLaria (Orange is the New Black), and Sandra Bernhard in Provincetown. “Provincetown is such a great town to gig. It’s so much fun walking around, grabbing some Spiritus Pizza and going from venue to venue.”
No two days in Brad’s week are alike. “One day I could teach a 7 year-old student, then a 70 year-old student, go play for a couple hundred people, head home and snuggle with my dog… the next I could be in the studio working on a stranger’s album.” How does he manage it all? He holds up his phone. “My iCal. I list absolutely everything. Where I have to be, what gear I need… it’s all here.”
Asked if there’s something his students might be surprised to learn about him, Brad says “I’m a pretty good basketball player! People meet musicians and think we must be nerdy… I’m more well-rounded than people might expect. I love sports, I’m a band nerd, I love fishing… I do a bit of everything.”
Brad’s teaching style is also well-rounded, and highly adaptable. He teaches all percussion instruments: “drum set, orchestral percussion, marching percussion -- whatever the student’s interests and needs are. I’ll teach everything… how to hold a drumstick, how to listen to a song, how to work musically with others. I’m here to help you reach your goals and ambitions.”
Brad’s excited about Cape Symphony’s new class for children aged 5-7. “Percussion Explorers is going to be very fun,” he says. “It’ll engage parts of their brains that haven’t been developed yet. It’s about improvisation with a focus on creativity. We’ll talk about ‘found sounds’ – how do you imitate the sound of a door shutting? How about thunder? How does it make you feel?”
A Berklee College of Music graduate, Brad is proud to have studied with some of the world’s greatest drummers. “Take lessons from as many teachers as possible,” he advises. “Pull from everyone!” Teachers and students both inspire him every day.
Brad Conant loves to make music, and to see his students love it, too. “Our job as musicians is to communicate without words in order to move the listener.” he says. “It’s awesome.”
