Tom Chapman

Tom is a freelance percussionist and drummer who also works as a designer and digital marketing consultant within the music industry. He lectures on various music courses, particularly the “From Gagaku to Gaga and Samba to Satie” Level 5 module.

Tom’s main project is The Urban Folk Quartet, with whom he has toured internationally since 2009 and recorded seven albums. He is known for being the first professional cajonero in the UK, appearing in industry publications and featuring in the documentary “Los Caminos Del Cajón” in 2006, long before the cajón was widely available outside of Spain and South America.

As a percussionist, Tom has worked with a wide range of musicians, including Joss Stone, Cerys Matthews, Roby Lakatos, Pentangle’s Jacqui McShee and many contemporary folk artists. He is also often seen playing with jazz big bands and Gospel/crossover projects.

As a drummer, Tom is mainly buys on the swing scene, with a particular love of the music, instruments and dance of the early to mid twentieth century. That said, as both a drummer and percussionist, Tom has worked as a session musician across genres, and has appeared on over thirty albums, as well as recordings for TV and radio.

Passionate about independent artistry and grassroots scenes, Tom is also in demand as a digital marketer, helping artists and independent promoters and record labels to run direct-to-fan campaigns.