Claes Brondal was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in the mid-70 and has been playing drums since the age of 8.
He’s been studying with drumming greats such as Ed Thigpen, Niels Ratzer, Jonas Johansen, Lennart Gruvstedt, Marcello Salazar, Kenwood Dennard, John Amira, Dom Famularo and Gary Chaffee.
Claes is versatile in many styles of music – especially enjoying Big Band, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Afro/Cuban and Brazilian.
His “just say yes” approach landed him with many groups in the US and Europe ranging from Rock and Jazz to Turkish and Latin.
Claes’ professional credits includes recording sessions and live performances with musicians such as Tomas Frank, Poul Reimann, Bob Hovey, Misha Sakharov, James Genus, David Sanchez, Bobby Brennan, Essiet Essiet, Hector Martignon, Morris Goldberg, Kevin Kuhn, Ada Rovatti, Jim Campagnola and Randy Brecker.
His most recent recordings are with Jazz/Fusion quartet LUMA and the Off The Clock compilation album.
He has worked with the Ross School Jazz Ensemble and musical director Hal McKusick, taught for the Morriss Center Jazz Ensembles and was a mentor for the East End All Star Youth Jazz Ensemble. He has performed at Central Park Summer Stage, Copenhagen Jazz Festival and Blue Note in New York City.
Currently the MC and drummer for The Jam Session at Bay Street Theatre in New York. The Jam Session is also recorded live and broadcast weekly on Peconic Public Broadcasting, 88.3FM.
Claes is the founder and leader of the music collective Groove Gumbo Super Band which had its debut at Jazz on the Vine in New York 2011.
Claes is constantly looking for new ways and methods to convey information and how to teach the art of drumming. Continuously studying and researching world rhythms and drumming traditions, as well as traditional practical applications to the drum set.
The following is a list of various credits and professional affiliations: