Phil Crabbe is an independent, freelance session drummer, working predominantly on the London freelance / session scene. He is now based in Eastbourne on the south coast.

His career began as a percussionist in H.M.Royal Marines Band, and along with his training at the Marines school of music, Phil’s musical education includes a stint at Berklee College of Music (Boston, U.S.A); The National Centre For Orchestral Studies; Goldsmith’s College, London (where he gained a higher diploma with merits in practical & theory); A.R.C.M. performance degree in Timpani & Percussion from The Royal College Of Music (as an external student ).

Along with private studies with the following noted percussion/drum teachers; Dave Hassell (Manchester), Bob Armstrong (London), Stanley Spector (New York, via tape correspondence course), Jim Blackley (Toronto, Canada) and Michael Skinner (London).

Phil Crabbe Drummer Live

Phil’s musical experience covers a broad range of styles and genres (both live and studio), in ensembles ranging from jazz trios to big bands, orchestras and musical theatre productions. His playing/recording credits include ;

  • Alexandra Burke.

  • Ben Castle’s ‘Four From The Madding Crowd’.

  • Ben Hainow.

  • Beverly Knight.

  • Bryn Haworth.

  • Candi Staton.

  • Cayenne.

  • Cilla Black.

  • Connie Talbot.

  • Des’ree.

  • Dionne Broomfield.

  • The Drifters.

  • Elvis – The Ultimate Performer (featuring Chris Connor as Elvis Presley).

  • Gloria Gaynor.

  • Graham Kendrick.

  • Haircut 100.

  • Heather Small (M People).

  • Helen Shapiro.

  • Joe Longthorne.

  • Joss Stone.

  • Katie Melua.

  • Lee Ryan (Blue).

  • Lemar.

  • Lillian Boutte` (New Orleans jazz/blues/gospel artist).

  • The London Philharmonic Orchestra.

  • Lucy Spraggan.

  • Mari Wilson.

  • Marti Webb.

  • Matt Redman.

  • Mavis Staples (soul/gospel star).

  • Mica Paris.

  • Ms Dynamite.

  • The National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

  • The Nolans.

  • Odyssey.

  • The Pat Crumley Quartet.

  • Paul Jones (Manfred Mann, The Blues Band).

  • Petula Clarke.

  • The Platters.

  • Roy Castle.

  • The Royal Shakespeare Company.

  • Sabrina Washington (Missteeq).

  • Salena Jones.

  • Sir Bruce Forsyth.

  • Stacey Solomon.

  • Tony Christie.

  • V.V. Brown.

  • The Varese Ensemble.

  • Young Voices (a touring, massed choir/variety-show event, held in UK arena’s such as the 02).

  • Zoot Money.

Plus many touring musical theatre shows such as Back To The 60’s, A Night At The Musicals, What A Feeling, Simply Ballroom, The Magic Of The Musicals, and Tell Me On A Sunday.

Phil Crabbe Drummer Live

TV Credits Include:

French & Saunders  /  The Lenny Henry Show  /  Alexi Sayle’s Stuff  /  The Comic Strip  /  First Exposure  /  The Wingeing Pom  /  Robbie Coltrane T.V specials  /  Spitting Image  /  Songs Of Praise  /  London’s Burning

Films:

  • Eat The Rich
  • Bliss

Library Music & Jingles

He has also contributed many drum tracks for ‘library music’ albums, working for companies such as Boosey & Hawkes, & Zomba/Jive group, Music For Pleasure and the Avon group. Along with commercial ‘jingles’ for clients like British Gas, John Smith’s Ale, San Miguel Beer,  & Gayles Honey,  to name a few.

Radio

Phil has recorded numerous broadcasts for B.B.C. Radio2 programmes such as Night Owls, Friday Night Is Music Night and In Concert.

Phil Crabbe Drummer Live