Stephen Bidwell | Gretsch Drums
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Stephen Bidwell

Gretsch Artist Since: 
2019
Country: 
US
Band or Affiliations: 
Black Pumas, Hard Proof
Current Kit Setup: 

Broadkaster in Black Satin Flame
8x13 Rack Tom, 16x16 Floor Tom, 14x22 Bass Drum, 6.5x14 USA Custom Solid Aluminum Snare, 6.5x14 USA Custom Bronze Snare, 5x14 USA Custom Chrome Over Brass

Influences: 

"Elvin Jones, Willie Hall, Tony Allen, Richard Manzullo, Roy Haynes, Earl Hudson, Ricky Wellman, Tony Williams, David Garibaldi, Steve Ferrone, Mike Clark, Joseph Modeliste, Johnny Vidacovich, Jaki Liebezit, and many, many more."

We asked...Why Gretsch?: 

"For well over a century Gretsch has had an uncompromised concept in sound and style. Aside from being such a huge part of music history and the players I most admire; I know that if I sit down at a Gretsch kit from any series I’ll be happy with the sound and feel. "

 

BIOGRAPHY

 

Stephen Bidwell was born in Washington, DC and grew up in nearby Reston, Virginia. Since being first handed drumsticks in the late 80s he has studied and lived in West Virginia, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and New York but has called Austin, Texas home since 2005. Somewhere in those travels he earned a Bachelors degree in classical percussion and a master’s degree in jazz studies. Since early 2018 he has been the drummer for the Grammy nominated Black Pumas, a psychedelic soul group known for incendiary live shows. When not on tour with Black Pumas, Stephen plays in several diverse projects (Hard Proof, The Calm Blue Sea, Azmaris, the Mood Illusion), works in any genre you can think of as a sideman, and teaches lessons at his home studio.

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