Adrian Dsouza

Independent

Adrian Dsouza is a drummer of varied styles. His Taoist / Zen approach to life translates into his music and art – communicating rhythm, space, intensity and dynamics, effortlessly and with finesse. Born in Bombay, India, drummer Adrian D’souza started his musical pursuits at the age of five, thereafter performing on national radio and television. After getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the Bombay University, he joined the Louis Banks Quartet. A few years later he was offered the drummer's seat in American Jazz vocalist / educator Roseanna Vitro's trio.

 
New York offered him a chance to study and play with some of the best musicians in the New York tri state area. It was in Memphis where he met Peter Erskine and was quick to study with him. Adrian has also studied with various respected drummers on the New York Jazz scene.


Adrian D'souza has shared the band stand with Roseanna Vitro, Eddie Gomez, Art Davis, Gary Bartz and Mark Soskin to name a few. As a side man, Adrian has recorded on nineteen albums, some of them alongside Roseanna Vitro, Eddie Gomez, Fred Hersch, Chris Potter and Chieli Minucci.

 
His debut Jazz album 'It’s About Time' recorded in the USA - produced, engineered and mastered by Paul Wickliffe, features Roseanna Vitro, Don Braden, Allen Farnham, Chieli Minucci and Bob Bowen.

 
Adrian D’souza performed with Al Jarreau, George Duke, Earl Klugh and Ravi Coltrane for the VH1 Jazz Masters at Mumbai’s Gateway of India. He also performed with the 'Maribor Philharmonic Orchestra' featuring Roseanna Vitro in Slovenia, and was invited by the 'World Philharmonic Jazz Orchestra and big band' to perform in Johannesburg for the United Nations - World Summit on Sustainable Development. Adrian performed with the Symphony Orchestra of India at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. His recent performance being with the Rajeev Raja Combine, chosen by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, under the aegis of the Ministry of External Affairs to represent India at festivals in Europe and South Africa.

 
As a composer, Adrian D'souza has composed theme songs, Channel IDs, promos and commercials extensively for TV18 / CNBC Mumbai. His pop singles featuring Neuman Pinto were acclaimed by RollingStone India and featured in their Top 10 list for the year.

 
As a Pop - Bollywood drummer, he has played with Shalmali Kholgade, Sachin-Jigar and Ash King. The Adrian D'souza Jazz quartet comprises Sanjay Divecha, Mark Hartsuch, Rahul Wadhwani.


Adrian D’souza is an exclusive Zildjian Cymbals artist.

Adrian Dsouza'S SETUP:

  1. 14' K Custom Dark Hi hats
  2. 22" K Constantinople Medium Thin Low Ride
  3. 22" K Constantinople Thin Overhammered Ride
  4. 20" K Flat Ride

* May be prototype

Adrian
Dsouza's
IN 3

Adrian Dsouza's
IN 3

  • WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

    I'm truly blessed to have worked with incredible Jazz musicians in New York, who gave me the opportunity to learn and play great music. They shared their wisdom and shaped the way I play today. I'm also thankful to the new bread, the younger generation of musicians that I currently work with in India - constantly pushing me to play various genres and opening my mind to different sounds and rhythms.

  • WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUMMERS

    Rhythm is a universal language and the soul of all things. Blessed is the rhythmatist whose creativity pours forth - igniting, yet soothing his soul, and that of the listener!

  • FAVORITE ZILDJIAN CYMBAL/COMBO

    14' K Custom Dark Hi hats, 22" K Constantinople Medium Thin Low Ride, 22" K Constantinople Thin Overhammered Ride - With this set up I get all the colours I need. The K Custom Dark Hi Hats are not bright and obtrusive, yet they maintain a good balance in volume.The K Constantinople Medium Thin Low ride has a great spread and wash without being overpowering. The K Constantinople Thin Overhammered ride has a definite tick to it which can be subtle or out there, depending how you dig into it.

Adrian Dsouza’S GO-TO’S

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