Musician and composer Alasdair Pennington has in recent years established himself as a distinct and creative voice on the drum kit within the vibrant London jazz and improvised music scenes. An in-demand sideman, Pennington has performed and recorded with many eminent, international artists across genres including Helen Sung, Baptiste Herbin, Laura Jurd, Michael Dease, Dennis Rollins and The Flaming Lips among others. His considered, expressive and rhythmically adept musical contributions with various projects have garnered much positive acclaim, including from Downbeat Magazine (Howard Mandel): “Pennington’s a kick-ass drummer”. This Is, Pennington’s debut release as leader due out in October 2024, will showcase his compositional voice on record for the first time.

Pennington has performed and recorded at venues, studios and festivals across England and beyond including Manchester Jazz Festival, Lancaster Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Abbey Road Studios, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Vortex Jazz Club, The Leadmill, Cafe Oto, Porgy & Bess (Vienna), Jamboree Jazz Club (Barcelona) and Take 5 Jazz Club (Stockton, California).

Pennington’s musicianship, musical development and approach to music in general have been heavily influenced by many pioneering Black American musicians including Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Cobb, “Philly Joe” Jones, Tony Williams, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane among many, many others.

In 2017, Pennington was one of three UK applicants to be selected for the Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colony program at the Brubeck Institute in California. During this “intensive educational program in jazz performance for a limited number of exceptionally talented students” he received tuition from celebrated American musicians and educators including pianist Donald Brown (Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers) and saxophonist Steve Wilson (Chick Corea, Christian Mcbride).

Over the years, Alasdair Pennington has received tuition from renowned players and educators in the UK and the USA including John Riley, Lewis Nash, Tim Giles, Dave Walsh, Dave Hamblett, Martin France and Gregory Hutchinson. 

Alasdair Pennington is proudly endorsed by Bosphorus Cymbals.