“Since I have worked with Trio HLK I have been endlessly inspired by the musicianship, technical prowess and sheer passion Rich displays whenever he sits at his drums. He constantly pushes his boundaries and finds all sorts of sources from many different disciplines to improve himself and that of others. It’s a real privilege to be in his company both as a fellow musician and person” - Dame Evelyn Glennie
Rich Kass is a drummer with a unique and powerful voice. He has spent his adult life playing and recording with world-renowned artists including: Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy), Dame Evelyn Glennie, Arild Andersen, Varijashree Venugopal, Steve Lehman, Natalie Clein, Trio HLK, John Etheridge, Grammy-Nominee Muhsinah, Sugababes, The Wanted, John McLaughlin, Somi, Rod Jones (Idlewild) and many more. He has received acclaim for his unique and bold approach to the instrument from the likes of Evelyn Glennie, Steve White and Misha Mansoor.
Born in 1987 in the Scottish highlands, Rich grew up in a small village just outside of Inverness. He first picked up the sticks in his teenage years when he began playing in high school punk bands. He eventually chose to study music formally at Edinburgh Napier University, where he graduated with First Class honours. During this time he also studied privately with Alyn Cosker and Jojo Mayer.
For the past few years Kass has chosen to focus the majority his creative output into two main projects:
1) Recording and touring internationally with Trio HLK and Dame Evelyn Glennie.
2) Developing his “Drum Interpretations” project, which you can view on YouTube
In addition to these projects, he maintains a busy schedule of diverse and rewarding session work; from performing on film scores such as Netflix Blockbuster “Outlaw King”, to writing and performing commissioned works for percussion and organ. He is currently visiting drum kit professor at Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College, having previously held the same position at University of Glasgow and Edinburgh Napier University.
He now lives in a small village on the outskirts of Edinburgh with his wife and children. When not making music he likes to make things out of wood and enjoy the great outdoors.
Rich proudly endorses BDC Drums, SABIAN cymbals, Vater Drumsticks, Evans drumheads and Porter and Davies tactile monitoring.
Below is a selection of some kind words about Rich’s playing from fellow musicians and press:
“Kass proves beyond doubt that he is a drumming phenomenon, contributing a muscular, almost punk quality, whilst also demonstrating an astonishing accomplishment in thrilling, brain-trashing polyrhythm...”
“Kass’s percussive steam is pivotal, drumming with a precision which might suggest it was electronically-generated were it not for the array of rhythmic tricks and ever-changing timbres.”
“I have been endlessly inspired by the musicianship, technical prowess and sheer passion Rich displays whenever he sits at his drums”
“A polyrhythmic monster!”
“Breathtaking”
“Absolutely Insane!”
“I’m really into Rich’s playing. He can play stuff that it hurts my brain even thinking about. His brain is capable of processing long, dense shifting polyrhythms, quickly. AND he is a very responsive accompanist and listener.”
“The three men then rejoin Glennie and together they all shift through a range of dazzling musical gears, veering off at often death-defying tangents into the worlds of Latin jazz and complex Cuban rhythms (as firmly evidenced by Kass’s staggering drum solo on ‘Dux’)”
“It’s gratifying when someone you teach really ‘gets it’ and works hard, but a greater feeling still when that student pushes his learning to the stage where he gives back and surpasses the limits of your own knowledge. That has been my experience of Richard Kass”
“Drums genius”
“Drums and percussion maestro ”
Photo by Matthew Johnson Photographer