Shawn Pelton - Drum Solo Artist

Shawn Pelton

Shawn Pelton, drummer extraordinaire, has been performing with the Saturday Night Live Band for the past 10 seasons. He can also boast an impressive list of recording credits, including sessions with Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Shawn Colvin, David Byrne, Billy Joel and Elton John. Most recently, Pelton recorded with Sheryl Crow on her new album, C'mon, C'mon.

On projects like the Sheryl Crow album, Pelton delves into his musical bag of tricks by integrating elements like sampling, electronic sounds, and effects. He explains, "I love the
Korg KM-2 KAOSS Mixer. It's really cool because it uses the KAOSS Pad along with a built in DJ-style mixer. What I do is use the KM-2 to cross fade, mixing back and forth between my two ELECTRIBE units (the ESo1 and ERo1). I love how simple the ESo1 sampler is for getting new ideas out quickly and intuitively. The built-in effects are just amazing." He continues, "In the ERo1 rhythm synth, the way you can process and gate the audio input is a really cool thing as well."

Pelton expounds on his diverse musical skills and the role his Korg gear plays: "To survive today as a drummer it helps to have some programming chops. To be able to have that as part of your sound is really valuable. So, having the Korg ESo1 and the ERo1 as part of my 'thing' that goes into all of my sessions is great."

Zildjian Artist since 1989, Shawn Pelton is one of the most talented and in demand drummers on the New York session scene. Shawn has been the Saturday Night Live Band drummer since 1992, longer than any other player. Every week he proves his capabilities as a live player and sideman by covering a wide range of music and backing visiting performers.

Shawn studied with Kenny Aronoff for seven years and attended Indiana University where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree and a Performer's Certificate in Jazz Studies.

As a first call session player in New York City, his resume reads like a "who's who" of the music industry, including: Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, House of Diablo, Edie Brickell, The Brecker Brothers, Buddy Guy, Joan Osborne, Hall & Oates, Peter Wolf, Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, Patty Larkin, Kim Richey, Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Luciano Pavarotti, Spice Girls, Loudon Wainwright, Peter Frampton, Robert Palmer, Bruce Hornsby, Adam Sandler and Vanessa Williams.