Cliff Almond

Cliff Almond is from San Diego California. His parents, both being classical musicians, started Cliff on the Violin when he was 5 years old, but Cliff always gravitated toward the drums. By the time Cliff was 13 years old he began working in various pit orchestras, orchestral situations, and started to become quite busy in the local music scene with various bands. At the age of 17, Cliff enrolled at PIT in Hollywood California and began studying with Steve Houghton, Ralph Humphrey, Casey Scheurell and others. On weekends he would return to San Diego to play with various local bands, and also began to work in the local Studio Scene on Jingles and Films. At the age of 20 Cliff was spotted by Chick Corea drummer Dave Weckl who recommended Cliff to Pianist Michel Camilo. Cliff landed the Camilo gig at the age of 21 and moved to New York to begin working.

Upon arriving in New York, within a brief period Cliff became quite busy in the music scene. A few of the Artists Cliff has Performed/Recorded with over the years include the following: Patti Labelle, The Manhattan Transfer, Chris Potter, Michel Camilo, Clark Terry, Joe Locke, Paquito Drivera, John Faddis, Celia Cruz, Trey Anestasio, Tito Puente, Wayne Krantz, Eddie Palmieri, Chuck Loeb, Tom Scott, Michael Brecker, Dave Valentine, Billy Childs, Anthony Jackson, Will Lee, Terrence Blanchard, Mike Stern, John Pattitucci, Akiko Yano, Quruli, Hikaru Utada, and many more. Cliff has been featured in various international music magazines such as Modern Drummer Magazine (USA), Slagwerkkrant (Holland) Drums (Japan) Bass (Japan) Keyboard (Japan), Sound and Recording (Japan) and others throughout Europe and the US. An Endorser of Yamaha Drums, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, Daddario Products, and Zildjian Cymbals, Almond also remains busy as a clinician throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, and is also a member of The Percussive Arts Society. In addition, Cliff teaches online at cliffalmondlessons.com.