Biography

I specialise in percussion (drumkit, orchestral percussion and a variety of ethnic percussion) and keyboards (piano, electric piano, Hammond organ, synths, etc.); I work with a wide variety of different orchestras, bands and artists, spanning a large range of musical styles.
I play gigs and tours across the UK and abroad, and I play recording sessions for various producers – including ‘remote’ sessions in my own studio. I am also able to write and/or arrange music to commission – including songwriting projects; soundtracks for film, TV and theatre; advertising jingles; etc.

I started playing drums when I was five years old, and since then I have studied drumkit with Simon Dring, Dave Wickins, Jason BowldCraig Blundell and Ralph Salmins, and percussion with Ian Chopping, Sam Girling and Donal O’Brien.

Picture by John Craig (Rocking The Shot)
90s Jam At Rainford Picnic In The Park · John Craig (Rocking The Shot)

I grew up around the piano, in a family of pianists, and I have been a pianist for as long as I can remember. I had lessons with Rory Marsden for over ten years – I passed Grade Eight Piano with Distinction in March 2008 and went on to study jazz piano with jazz specialist Peter Hayes.

I became a full-time musician in 2007, and began working in bands and orchestras playing gigs, as well as teaching from my home near Norwich. In 2008, I joined Witchers as a drummer and synth player. In 2011, I joined Sistema In Norwich (then known as In Harmony Norwich) as a percussion tutor.

In 2012 and 2013, I started working with synth pop duo Crystal Bats, playing gigs with them on keyboards alongside my tours on drums with singer/songwriter Axel Loughrey. I also joined the Music Arts Project team, working alongside former West End stage dancer Danny Coates with BTEC Musical Theatre students, based out of Wayland Academy in south Norfolk.

Ultra ’90s At Boston Gliderdrome · Solau Photography

I am very proud to have been involved with PX Productions’ hugely successful ’90s dance show Ultra ’90s almost since its inception. In 2015, I was involved in the formation of Ultra ’90s Fresh – a spin-off line-up created to cope with the huge demand for booking the show. And in 2017, I was asked to run my own line-up of the show – and I became the musical director, keys player, male vocalist and band leader of 90s Jam.

In 2018 and 2019, I started MD-ing live shows for Jade MayJean (BBC’s The Voice), building a full audio-visual set from Jade’s debut album of original songs complete with fully-sequenced lighting cues and video. Jade’s band played the set with me as the onstage band leader at a string of festival shows and a slot at the O2 Academy in Islington, as well as the Christmas Lights switch-on in Ipswich town centre.

I have been extremely lucky to be supported by some wonderful companies. I’ve been a Pellwood Drumsticks player for many years, and I joined their artist roster early in my career – I am very grateful to Ivan and Vojtěch at Pellwood for being so welcoming to me right from the very start.

In 2020, I was proud to be invited to join Axis Percussion as an endorser. I have always loved the feel of direct drive pedals and the connection they give you to the instrument, so I am very thankful to Zed at Axis and I am delighted to have been welcomed on board by Zed and the Axis team.

Aside from music, I enjoy cooking, photography, watching Formula 1, supporting Norwich City Football Club, going to the gym, and playing table tennis in local leagues and national tournaments. I am also involved in the ‘Right To Repair’ movement, campaigning for more sustainable electronics and household devices.

I am available for session work, recording or live, with bands, solo artists or orchestras, across the UK and abroad – for more details, please contact me.

Hiring A Musician?

Here are a few facts about me…

  • experience of wide range of music styles
  • strong musicianship
  • good sight-reader
  • able to work from lead-sheets
  • good improviser
  • comfortable working with click-tracks
  • comfortable working with in-ear monitoring
  • professional quality gear
  • own transport
  • backing vocals available
  • PA system hire available
  • lighting rig hire available
  • Musicians’ Union member

Gig Map

One of the most exciting parts of my work as a touring musician is getting travel all over the place playing shows – visiting new towns and new venues, and meeting new people. I like to keep track of where in the world I have played. Whenever I go to a new venue or studio for the first time, I’ll add it to the map – and you can keep up with where I’ve been, and see how much of the world I have covered!

Thanks for visiting, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Kit Marsden // Musician