Latham, Rick (USA)

Rick Latham is a drum set artist performing, recording, producing and teaching in the Los Angeles area since 1984. Before moving to LA, he was a member of R&B bass legend Chuck Rainey’s band “Rainey Man” while living in Dallas.

From 1996 to 2002, Rick was a featured member of The Edgar Winter Band, with hundreds of stellar performances including a special appearance at the 1999 Montreux Jazz Festival. Today, he is the founder and driving force of his contemporary jazz “supergroup,” Rick Latham and The Groove Doctors.

With more than 30 years as a professional, Rick is recognized worldwide for his signature drumming style and creative approach to the instrument. As a top session drummer, he has recorded numerous television theme scores, hit singles and film soundtracks.

Throughout his career, Rick has performed live and on recordings with greats such as B.B. King, Quincy Jones, Neal Schon, Pat Travers and jazz all-stars Bill Watrous, Larry Carlton, Paul Smith, Howard Roberts, David Friedman and David Samuels. His versatility has also been highlighted with top entertainers like Rita Moreno, Ben Vereen, Martha Reeves, Redd Foxx and Pete Barbutti. He has toured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe and Asia.

Rick is also renowned as the author of the long-celebrated drummer’s text Advanced Funk Studies (1980), honored by Modern Drummer magazine as one of “The 25 Greatest Drum Books Ever Published,” and the highly acclaimed Contemporary Drum Set Techniques (1990), distributed worldwide by Carl Fischer. His instructional materials are also available on video, distributed by Warner Bros.

He is frequently invited to conduct product demonstrations at international trade events including NAMM, PASIC and Europe’s MUSIC MESSE, in addition to master classes and clinics around the globe.

Originally from Columbia, South Carolina and born October 1, 1955, Rick graduated from Shelby High School and then East Carolina University where he studied percussion with Harold Jones. He received a teaching assistantship and was accepted into the Masters program at North Texas State University, studying with mentors including Robert Schietroma, Ron Fink and Jim Hall.

Now with his critically acclaimed jazz group “Rick Latham and The Groove Doctors,” Rick steps into the spotlight as a prominent solo artist, continuing his demanding schedule of performing, recording, composing, producing and conducting master-classes.