Pulse Beat Music Chicago

Pulse Beat Music Chicago is comprised of a collective of professional percussionists who have traveled the world to master the art of drumming.

Jason Wolf is a professional drummer with a specialty in West African percussion. He speaks fluent French and has toured the country with famous dance instructors like Moustapha Bangoura.

Michael Tooles has taught hundreds of Chicago students how to drum. Originally from Memphis, he has a specialty on the snare drum and drumset. He performs throughout Chicago with bands such as Spider Monkey and Yves Francois Rocambu Jazz Orchestra.

Danny Howard is a recent transplant from England whose specialties include drumset and Afro-Caribbean drumming. Danny teaches at many Chicago schools and performs with his afro-cuban band.

Gil Alexander is a very versatile drummer whose specialties include drum set, Afro-Cuban, and middle eastern percussion. Gil performs in world music and rock bands throughout Chicago and the surrounding region.

Janet Cramer has a degree in percussion and has studied closely with Afro-Cuban specialist Michael Spiro. She plays drum set on the Chicago blues circuit and teaches world percussion throughout the city.

Jean Leroy is an in-demand percussionist in Chicago, specializing in Latin and Afro-Cuban percussion. He teaches and performs with many Latin, jazz, and folkloric groups in Chicago.

Andrew Elbert is one of the leading djembe players in Chicago and can be found in many dance classes here in town. He also specializes in drum set and marching band, and performs with rock bands, percussion ensembles, and dance companies all around the Chicago area.

Kris Sanders is one of Chicago’s most promising young djembe players. With a natural feel for the instrument, Kris can be found playing in many west African groups and dance classes.

Michael Taylor is one of the original and most experienced djembe players in Chicago. He specializes exclusively in West African music, and is a certified professor of TTM USA, the dejmbe school of master drummer Mamady Keita.

Michael Riendeau specializes in drum set and jazz with additional emphasis on West African music. He plays regularly in the Chicago Jazz scene.