Known for his creative and innovative style, Joel Litwin is a favorite drummer/percussionist among artists and bands in and around Seattle WA and the West Coast.
His credits include projects alongside some of the most innovative artists on the West Coast, including Tucker Martine, Amy Denio, Eyvind Kang, Tony Furtado, Wayne Horvitz and Michael Manring.
Joel has performed and recorded with many top artists and groups in Seattle and the west coast, including Hand to Mouth and Incendio. As longtime accompanist with renowned songwriter Erin Corday, Joel has opened for (or co-billed with) esteemed artists such as Brazilian superstar Milton Nascimento, Richard Thompson, David Grisman, Martin Sexton, Bill Frisell and many others.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Joel grew up playing jazz, rock and covers in downtown clubs. He lived on the east coast for several years, where he studied African rhythms with master drummer Richard Hill and jazz drums with Bob Moses.
Joel then found a home on the west coast, where he developed a love for Brazilian music and began applying traditional rhythms to non-traditional instruments. His style has made him a favorite on the Seattle and Northwest music scene, and his creative use of handmade and found instruments (including a slightly battered briefcase) has made for some unique sounds on stage and in the studio.
Currently playing with:
Arête Quartet (w Joe Doria, Dave Carter, Steve Jones)
Tea Seas Trio
GrooveBot
Erin Corday
Cardova
CAL Trio (w Brian Cunningham)
Anissa Caprina
Batucada Northwest
& others
Joel has recorded and/or performed with Incendio (JP Durand, Liza Carbe, Jim Stubblefield), Erin Corday, Keith Lowe, Wayne Horvitz, Joe Doria, Blame Sally (Monica Pasqual, Jeri Jones, Renee Harcourt, Pam Delgado), Will Bernard, Orville Johnson, Tony Furtado, Eyvind Kang, Jim Page, Hand to Mouth (Grace Hearn & Michael Savage), John Miller, Zoo Patrol (Kevin Woods, Brian Cunningham, Steve Jones), BJ Block, Michael Manring, Ken Stringfellow, Melissa Crabtree, John Reischman, Ray Larsen, Kym Tuvim, Dan Tyack, Jonathan Kingham, Edie Carey and many others.
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