Mapex News - Black Panther Design Lab New Artists Press Releases

Mapex Drums is proud to welcome Greg Hutchinsonto the Mapex roster of artists and is pleased to announce that he will be among the first to showcase the new Black Panther Design Lab series of drums.

Mapex Artist Relations Manager Bob Terry states, “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such an innovative and accomplished artist! Greg is proficient across many genres and requires his instrument of choice to deliver the sound that he needs for each style.”

Described by Jazz Magazine as “the drummer of his generation,” Gregory Hutchinson is truly one of the most highly respected musicians of our time. Mastery of timing and expression of rhythms are at the core of his personal style. While soundly rooted in the jazz tradition, he is known for approaching all styles of music with supreme accuracy and imagination, decorating compositions with his natural feel and mind-blowing innovation.

As a young phenom in the jazz community, Hutchinson shared stages with the likes of Red Rodney, Betty Carter, and Ray Brown. More recently, he continues to work with a virtual who’s who of the jazz world including Dianne Reeves, Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, John Scofield, Roy Hargrove, Charles Lloyd, Diana Krall, Harry Connick Jr, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride and Maria Schneider among many other luminaries.

Greg has found that adopting both newly introduced Black Panther Design Lab series platforms helps him better express his musical thoughts.“Versatus and Cherry Bomb: both sing and make my life easier.” Hutchinson continues, “These are the drums I have been waiting for. If I have been waiting, so have you! Come join me and my new friends, Mr. Cherry Bomb and Mrs. Versatus!”

Showcasing the highest level of MAPEX design and manufacturing capabilities, Black Panther Design Lab drums leverage 30 years of drum making experience and extensive knowledge of the science of sound to bring new sonic concepts to life. Through the Sound First methodology of the Concept Hybrid approach, these drums provide an unparalleled opportunity to create uniquely tailored instrument systems with additional innovative options allowing the artist to further adapt the sound to their personal style.

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Mapex Drums is proud to welcome Jeff Hamiltonto the Mapex roster of artists and is pleased to announce that he will be among the first to showcase the new Black Panther Design Lab series of drums.

Originality is what versatile drummer Jeff Hamilton brings to the groups he performs with and is one of the reasons why he is constantly in demand, whether recording or performing with his own trio, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, the Clayton Brothers or co-leading the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Jeff’s experience and reputation bring the level of excellence that the NEW Mapex Black Panther Design Lab drums strive for.

Mapex Artist Relations Manager Bob Terry says of Hamilton, “I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a drum legend and accomplished artist! Jeff has a definite drum sound in mind and is very particular about his “voice” when he plays.”

Early in his career, Hamilton was featured performing with the New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Lionel Hampton’s Band, the Monty Alexander Trio, Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, the L.A.4 (replacing Shelly Manne), Ella Fitzgerald, the Count Basie Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, and The Ray Brown Trio.

In 1995 he began to focus on his own trio, and in 2006 he and his musical partner John Clayton were named Musicians of the Year by The Los Angeles Jazz Society.

Jeff has played on nearly 300 recordings sessions with artists such as Ray Brown, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Leon Russell, Queen Latifah, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Mel Torme and many, many other luminaries.

Hamilton currently tours with his own Jeff Hamilton Trio, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the trio of Akiko/Hamilton/Dechter.

Jeff has chosen to play the newly introduced Black Panther Design Lab Cherry Bomb drum kit by Mapex. “When I first played them, they had my warm, round sound but with distinct clarity for quicker projection to the listener and to the back of the room.”Hamilton continues, “They are so easy to play and don’t offer any resistance.”

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Mapex Drums is proud to welcome Kirk Covingtonto the Mapex roster of artists and is pleased to announce that he will be among the first to showcase the new Black Panther Design Lab series of drums.

Covington is widely recognized as an eclectic chameleon of talent, known for being one of the world’s most versatile and dynamic drummers in the world, while also performing as an accomplished vocalist and keyboard player. This was echoed by Mapex Artist Relations Manager Bob Terry, who says of Covington, “Kirk never ceases to amaze me, not only as a drummer, but his keyboard playing and voice are nothing short of amazing!”

Covington’s vocal intricacies, infinite energy and his crowd-pleasing personality are a driving force behind the success of the world-renowned jazz fusion group Tribal Tech, where his drumming virtuosity is featuring alongside guitarist Scot Henderson, bassist Gary Willis, and keyboardist Scott Kinsey.

Interestingly, Kirk has chosen to utilize both newly introduced Black Panther Design Lab platforms. When introduced to these innovative new drums, Kirk’s enthusiasm was evident. “After hearing and playing these kits, I immediately had to have both the Versatus and Cherry Bomb drums to cover the spectrum of music that I create. The Black Panther Design Lab team created the perfect hybrid Versatus shells for a modern vibe, but the Cherry Bomb is perfect for jazz or rock ‘n’ roll.” Covington continues, “These kits are without a doubt, the best sounding drums that I have ever played!”