Known for his versatility, creative energy and extensive collection of drum and percussion instruments, Bart Elliott has been working as a professional musician for more than 26 years. His diverse background as a drummer and percussionist ranges from live performances and pit-work, to studio sessions recording drum & percussion loops, commercial jingles, demos, soundtracks, music videos and custom albums - both nationally and internationally.
Bart has worked with some of the top names in the music industry, performing with such artists as Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), legendary trumpeter Clark Terry, Ernie Watts, Jim Snidero, Rose Falcon, Kim Hill, Babbie Mason, Twila Paris, Kent Henry, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Phillips, Craig & Dean, Carman, and Billy Falcon. He has also recorded and/or toured with Bill Tillman (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Ana Paula Valadao (Diante do Trono), HARVEST, Kellye Huff, Shannon Wexelberg, Roger Hodges, saxophonist Warren Sneed, Dennis Jernigan, Matthew Ward, Eddie Daniels (at Carnegie Hall), Tom Davis (Amber Rose Music), Tammy Cochran, Rachel Williams, Jace Everett and Ten Shekel Shirt. Additional onstage appearances include PFR, Audio Adrenalin, Sixpence None The Richer, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Wynonna Judd, Andy Griggs, Kentucky Headhunters and Grand Funk Railroad ... just to name a few.
Bart's understanding of contemporary and classical music makes him a complete and skilled master musician. Performing with Alex Acuna, Sheila E., Vinnie Colaiuta, Paul Leim, Will Kennedy and Luis Conte at the 2004 Drummers For Jesus Celebration in Dallas, TX, Bart is a featured artist on the event's Drum-umentary DVD and Teaching Workshops DVD, both as a solo artist and clinician.
In addition to a degree from West Texas State University (Bachelor of Music - Performance) and postgraduate work at Southwest Texas State University, Bart studied with the likes of renowned jazz drummer Alan Dawson, Bob Becker (Nexus), Africa's master drummer Babatunde Olatunji, and percussionist John Kasica (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra).
Bart is widely known as a top music educator and gifted teacher, appearing recently as a guest artist and clinician for such events as the International Drummers For Jesus Celebration, Drum World, CFNI Praise & Worship Conferences, Texas All-Star Jazz Camp, Musico a Musico, Selah Worship Institute and numerous schools, universities, music stores and conferences. Bart has also served on the adjunct faculties of Amarillo Junior College, Southwest Texas State University, and Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas.
Professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society and Pi Kappa Lambda - National Music Honors Society. Bart endorses Aquarian Drumheads, FIBES drums, SoundSeat drum thrones, and exclusively uses Sabian cymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks.
Currently residing in Nashville, TN, Bart stays busy as a studio musician, free-lance drummer / percussionist, music producer, composer, arranger and a drum / percussion instructor. Bart spends a great deal of time developing his own drum forum, the Drummer Cafe, an on-line community forum for drummers and percussionists from around the world, while continuing to give clinics, master classes, guest performances throughout the USA and abroad
