Nikki Glaspie & Punkadelick
Nikki Glaspie, raised in a family of Black, Southern ministers, began drumming at age two and was playing in church every week by eight. Her father introduced her to everything from Van Halen to The O’Jays, fueling a passion for diverse sounds. At Berklee (class of ’05), she studied under Angelamia Bachemin and honed her chops at Boston’s Wally’s Jazz Café. Her career soared with Beyoncé’s all-female band, SUGA MAMA, touring globally for five years and recording on the platinum album 4. She then anchored the New Orleans funk outfit Dumpstaphunk before co-founding The Nth Power, blending gospel, hip-hop, and funk into a stirring message of love. Endorsed by Zildjian, Vater, Yamaha, and Remo, Glaspie lives by her own creed: “Being a musician is not just what you do—it’s who you are.”
Creativity in Instrumentation: Orchestral Instruments on the Road
Session Description:
Nikki Glaspie stands at the forefront of modern drumming, revered for her fierce groove, soulful improvisation, and eclectic musical background. Having toured with Beyoncé, Maceo Parker and the Neville Brothers, Nikki’s artistry spans funk, R&B, rock, and beyond. Her dynamic approach—merging rhythmic power with melodic storytelling—promises a transformative experience for all attendees.
In this clinic, Nikki demonstrates how to infuse a modern rock/funk setup with orchestral and global percussion, revealing fresh possibilities for both melodic and rhythmic expression on the drumset. Joined by her idiosyncratic trio Punkadelick (featuring Mike Dillon and Brian Haas), they showcase concise performance examples that highlight everything from layering textures to creative improvisation. Whether you’re a percussion enthusiast, a gigging drummer, or an educator, you’ll gain practical tips on integrating vibraphone, timpani, tablas, and other unique instruments into a live band format.
Expect to leave inspired and equipped with tangible strategies to expand your sonic palette.
In this clinic, Nikki demonstrates how to infuse a modern rock/funk setup with orchestral and global percussion, revealing fresh possibilities for both melodic and rhythmic expression on the drumset. Joined by her idiosyncratic trio Punkadelick (featuring Mike Dillon and Brian Haas), they showcase concise performance examples that highlight everything from layering textures to creative improvisation. Whether you’re a percussion enthusiast, a gigging drummer, or an educator, you’ll gain practical tips on integrating vibraphone, timpani, tablas, and other unique instruments into a live band format.
Expect to leave inspired and equipped with tangible strategies to expand your sonic palette.
Session Category:
- Drumset
Date:
Friday, November 14, 2025
Time:
3:00 PM
Location:
500 Ballroom
Session Type:
Clinic / Performance
Session Format:
Live
