From rural Ontario, Canada ~ Drummer & composer Patrick Simard draws from eclectic influences; from his early days of deep French-Canadian roots playing spoons, then studying Jazz Composition and Performance at Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship, to deep studies of Moroccan Gnaoua music, to studying and performing traditional drumming in Benin, Togo, Senegal, Cuba, and the American South. Patrick’s aim is the use of sound, vibration and groove as an uplifting force. Having toured the world several times over, with a rich love and admiration for cultural heritage, Patrick is steadily expanding his musical palette to connect with what is deep within us all. Patrick has performed and/or recorded with artists such as: Bootsy Collins, A.R. Rahman, Souleymane Faye, Lionel Loueke, Alejandro Sanz, Esperanza Spalding, Antonio Sanchez, Danilo Perez, Hal Crook, Eddie Gomez, John Patitucci, Women of the World, Hazmat Modine, Lucky Chops, and has been the drumset player for his mentor and sabar griot Lamine Touré (from Senegal) for over a decade. Skills / Experience / Resume Specializing in Drumset performance in Jazz, Funk, R&B, World (Senegalese, Moroccan, Brazilian, Afrobeat, Reggae) Live & Studio. Teaching Drumset, Percussion, Music & Improvisation Workshops in both French & English. Producing artists’ songs and albums, recording drums and other instruments. 2010-Present - Drumset player for griot master sabar percussionist Lamine Touré. 2010 - Tour in Costa Rica with Berklee College of Music’s Global Jazz Institute teaching jazz and improvisation workshops. 2011 - Performance in Atlanta, GA with Grammy-Award winning John Patitucci. 2011 - Tour in West-Africa teaching music workshops with Danilo Perez. 2011 - Tour in Colombia teaching jazz improvisation workshops with Berklee College of Music 2011 - Recording session with John Patitucci, Eddie Gomez, & Steve Bailey. 2012 - Performance with Grammy-Award winning singer Alejandro Sanz. 2012-Present - Drummer/percussionist for award-winning vocal group “Women of the World”. 2013 - Tour in Central America with Grammy-Award winning pianist Danilo Perez. 2013 & 2018 - Symphony Hall & Las Vegas show with Grammy, Academy Award winning composer A.R. Rahman. 2014-2016 - Drummer for “Behind These Eyes”, created by legendary educator Hal Crook. 2016 - Performance with Grammy-Award winning Esperanza Spalding, Lionel Loueke, double- drum performance with Antonio Sanchez, Leo Genovese for Hal Crook’s retirement concert. 2017 - Tour with Reggae/Folk singer and songwriter Dustin Thomas. Opened for Soja. 2017-Present - Drummer for Hazmat Modine, tours across Europe and Asia. 2018-Present - Drummer for Lucky Chops, recording and touring across the US and Europe. 2018-Present - Recording drummer for legendary Grammy Award winner Bootsy Collins. 2013 - B.M. Dual Degree in Jazz Composition & Drumset Performance at Berklee College of Music - Magna Cum Laude (on Full Scholarship) 2010 - 1st place grand prize winner of “De Zéro à Mille” talent TV Show in Montréal, QC 2010 - 1st place winner of Broadjam’s “Happy Song of the Month” 2011 - Full scholarship recipient at Berklee College of Music 2012 - Received the “Armand Zildjian Outstanding Drummer Award” 2016 - Over 2 million views across social media platforms on drum video with Richard Bona.