Rich Stitzel

Drummer. Percussionist. Author. Composer. Educator.

Rich proudly endorses the following companies:

What People Have to Say About Rich

"Rich is a great all-around musician. Chops, dynamics, and a great knack for finding the perfect complementary part."

-Joel Hoekstra, Guitarist (White Snake, Night Ranger, Cher)

 

“Rich is hands down the most versatile drummer I have ever played with. He can shuffle and spang-a-lang with the best of them.”

-Aden Bubeck, Bassist (Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies, Bertha Coolidge)

 

“Rich Stitzel. I know him to be not just a drummer but a great musician who has knowledge of several different styles of music. He has great time, a great feel, and his performances are always stellar.”

-Khari Parker, Drummer (Boz Scaggs, Destiny's Child, Raphael Saadiq, Joss Stone, George Benson)

 

“Rich Stitzel is a great musician that I've had the pleasure of making music with since 2002. A true team player, his skills on the drum set and percussion are highly sought after in Chicago for recordings and live performances.”

 -Chris Clemente, Bassist (Harpo Productions, Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Beatmix Music)

 

"Rich can be counted among very few drummers with the feel and talent of application that invoke the sense of oneness with his instrument as an extension of his mortal being responding to the moment in perfect harmony to create musical excellence."

A.J. Mathieu, President (Promethean Enclosures)

 

"Rich has always been a guy who listens to and is a part of each musical moment in which he is involved. He has a great feel and is open to any and all styles. His attention to the details of his sound makes him a valuable member of any group lucky enough to have him as a musical partner."

-Gary Hobbs, Drummer (Stan Kenton, Randy Brecker, New York Voices,  Woody Herman)

 

"Rich Stitzel is one of the most versatile, creative and musical drummers I've worked with... he is equally proficient at laying down a fat groove, building a jam, adding loops on the fly or laying back with some tasty percussion. He listens and plays what's right for the song."

 -Cathy Richardson, Lead Singer (Jefferson Starship, Macrodots, Cathy Richardson Band)


“I really like what you’re doing. Don’t dumb it down. Keep the level high”

-Keith Carlock, Drummer (Steely Dan, Sting, John Mayer, James Taylor, Wayne Krantz)

 

"Versatile and deeply soulful, Rich Stitzel is an amazing drummer who can swing, rock, get funky, play free, and do anything in between. Besides that, he's one of the coolest cats you could ever get to know"

-Christian Howes, Violinist (Les Paul Trio, Bill Evans’ Slamgrass, Richard Bona)

 

"Rich’s musicianship is a wonderful balance of fundamental depth and courageous inventiveness.  His warmth and engaging personality shine through every note he plays."

Clay Jenkins, Trumpet (Eastman School of Music, Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Solo artist)

 

“It has been my extreme honor and privilege to work with Rich Stitzel in many different performance scenarios, both on stage and in the studio, over many years. And although he is a world-class drummer, his vision and voice transcend boundaries and I consider him a world-class artist. His unique balance of rhythm and melodic journey color and inform his work with unlimited creativity."

 -Anne Harris, Violin & Singer (Otis Taylor, Self) 

 

"RICH is the most groove-solid cat I’ve played with all month!  HUGE GRATITUDE! Love your pocket (and a beautiful vibe to go with it)."

 -Geoffrey Lowe, Bassist (Buddy Rich Big Band, Ginger Baker, David Sanborn, Paul Wertico)

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