About Darren

Darren Ashford

Name: Darren Ashford

D.O.B: 24th January 1973

Where were you born? The city of Oxford, UK

What age did you start drumming? 11

How did you get started? In 1983 , a week before Christmas, I was searching the attic for festive decorations when I stumbled across my Dad’s old snare drum. It was eagerly set up and with the help of a few Rock ‘n’ Roll records and a pair of hand turned sticks I began to work on some basic stickings and how to count to the beat of the music. I was hooked!
The following year, aged 11, I attended Lord Williams’s Secondary School in Oxfordshire, where I signed up for drum lessons with Trevor Benham, a local pro drummer.

What was your first drum kit? My Mum & Dad gave me my first drum kit for Christmas. This kit was made up of different drums, mainly Premier Olympic. It had a real calf head on the bass drum with a reversible lambs wool and leather beater on the bass drum pedal. The cymbals were Krut and Five Star Super Zyn cymbals. I loved it!

Who else have you studied with? Bob Armstrong, Dave Hassell, Neal Wilkinson & Mike Smith and a few others, but they were the main ones.

Which drummers have influenced you the most? Steve Gadd, Carlos Vega, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati, Jeff Porcaro, John robinson, Benny Grebb, Bob Armstrong, Dave Hassell, Mike Smith, Ash Soan, Neal Wilkinson, Joey Baron, Joe Morello, Buddy Rich, Kenny Clare.

What’s your favorite album? Tough one! Probably James Taylor – The ‘Live’ album or ‘Hourglass’ with Carlos Vega.

Who are your heroes/mentors? My Dad, Bob Armstrong, Trevor Benham, Neal Wlikinson, Dave Hassell, Steve Gadd, Carlos Vega, Bruce Lee, Michael Brecker, Don Grolnick, Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson, Gary Taubes.

Who have you played for? The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO), The Drifters (also as musical director), in various West-End musicals (Mama Mia/Joseph) and with pop artists such as The Backstreet Boys, Westlife, Will Young, Phats and Small, Sean Paul, Will Smith, Joss Stone, Lucie Silvas, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Shola Ama, Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Guthrie, Romina Johnson, Beverley Knight, Angie Stone, Roachford, Kelle LeRoc, Alex Holland, Me’sha Bryan, Omar, Roy Ayers, Maxi Priest, Carleen Anderson, Dub Pistols, D:REAM, London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC), Larry Carlton and Mattias ‘IA’ Eklundh.

What sticks do you use? 95% of the time I use Vic Firth 5A’s or 5B’s depending on the type of music I’m playing and the sound I want to achieve.

If you hadn’t become a musician what would you be doing now? I was pretty good at art and design and would have probably become an architect. Music is my creative passion and in all honesty I couldn’t bear not to pursue it.

What are your favorite foods? I eat pretty healthily and follow the principals of a primal/paleo diet. On my occasional cheat days there is nothing I like better than my Mum’s roast dinner followed by apple crumble. I also love a nice cup of tea and a quality biscuit (So British!).

What are your favorite films? Dragon (The Bruce Lee Story), Seven Pounds (Will Smith) and I loved Swiss Family Robinson when I was a kid, I must have watched it at least a hundred times.

What are your favorite TV shows? I hardly watch TV but if I do it’ll probably be David Attenborough or some wildlife programme, love that stuff!

What are your interests/hobbies (other than music)? Traveling, working out & keeping fit, martial arts, natural history, good food, meeting interesting and inspiring people, learning new things, scuba diving.

What advice would you give to an aspiring drummer? Always strive to be better and be open to new ideas and techniques, work hard but work smart, learn from others, be humble, follow your passion and interest, play as much as possible, eat good food, stay active and have a fun filled life!

Darren is proud to be working with the following companies: