| Sean Rickman | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Genres | Jazz, Pop, Hard Rock, Jazz Fusion, Instrumental Rock, Blues-Rock, Blues |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums, Bass, Electric Guitar |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Labels | BMG/RCA, Warner Bros. Records |
| Associated acts | Shawn Lane, Dapp Theory, Garaj Mahal, Maxwell, George Clinton, Randy Brecker, George Duke, Steve Coleman |
| Website | therickmusic.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Drums, Bass, Electric Guitar | |
Sean Rickman (born October 16, 1970) is an American drummer, vocalist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, producer and recording artist from Washington, DC.
He is best known for his work with Shawn Lane, Garaj Mahal, Dapp Theory, Steve Coleman, Maxwell, Meshell Ndegeocello, Blacksheep, Phil Upchurch, David Fiucynski & Screaming Headless Torsos, Kai Eckhardt, Anthony Tidd’s Quite Sane, K’Alyn, Angela Bofill and George Duke.[1]
Rickman is currently lead singer and drummer for Garaj Mahal and Big Mouth. He is also being featured alongside Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Marcus Miller on the upcoming “Tribute to Miles” 2011 tour.[2]
Contents |
Sean Rickman was born in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., into a musical family.
His father, Phil Upchurch, worked as a guitarist and bassist with legendary musicians including Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, George Benson, Curtis Mayfield, Cannonball Adderley, John Lee Hooker, Grover Washington, Jr., Lenny Breau and Dizzy Gillespie among many others.
Rickman’s mother, Renee Morris is a singer, who among other things played the part of Mary Magdalene in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Jesus Christ Superstar.
His uncle, Joseph Morris, was a marching band drummer with Ohio University, who inspired Rickman’s one-of-a-kind stick grip. Another uncle, Wayne Morris, was a DJ, who exposed him to a record collection without the bounds of genre. Rickman became inspired by the work of Al Green and Funkadelic at an early age.
Rickman exhibited innate musical abilities and was considered a musical prodigy with a remarkable sense of meter. Surrounded by the musical influence of his family, Rickman is said to have begun playing drums around age 1, as he began to learn to walk. Throughout primary school and high school, Sean excelled as a musician both intramurally and extramurally.[3]
In 1989, Rickman traveled from his hometown, Washington D.C., to Los Angeles, CA at the request of his father, who introduced him to owner of Third Stone Records and American cinematic music director, Dick Rudolph. Rudolph who, partnered with Michael Douglas, released an album of moderate success with the band Saigon Kick. He later assigned Rickman to work with American record producer, Stewart Levine.
Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. signed Rickman to a publishing deal and gave him an advance, used to cover an entertainment attorney, transportation and studio expenses during the remainder of his time in Los Angeles during the late 80s and early 90s.
In the early months of 1992, Sean returned to Washington, D.C. and began performing with DC area reggae band Blacksheep.
In the final months of 1992, Jamie Brown (owner of Sister2Sister Magazine) recommended Rickman to Kim Jenkins of Ardent Studios in Memphis, TN. Rickman immediately relocated to Memphis and recorded a demo with producer, Angelo Earl. Earl placed him with rising star, Shawn Lane, whom Rickman instantly recalled from a Guitar Player Magazine article entitled “Unknown Greats” which he had read in years prior. Shawn Lane was sought out and signed by Jim Ed Norman, President of Warner Bros. Records in Nashville. Eventually the group toured the US with Robben Ford and released Shawn Lane’s Powers of Ten album which was produced by the legendary Andy Johns. This was followed with the Tri Tone Fascination album release along with two instructional videos on REH video.[3]
In 1993, Rickman again relocated to Los Angeles to perform with his father, veteran musician Phil Upchurch. They toured Europe and performed in the Southern California area. Producer Angelo Earl relocated to Los Angeles to work with him, but they both returned to their hometowns following a devastating 6.7 magnitude earthquake in January 1994.
After living in Washington D.C. for a short period of time, Angela Bofill hired him on the spot after watching him perform in Washington D.C. with keyboardist Federico Pena and alto saxophonist Marshall Keys.
In 1994-1996 Rickman began touring with Angela Bofill, and working on her album, Love in Slow Motion. While in New York, drummer Gene Lake Jr suggested Rickman to Steve Coleman. After an audition including a host of veteran drummers, Coleman hired 25-year-old Rickman. For the years 1996 through 2002, Rickman toured and recorded four albums with Coleman on BMG/RCA records.[3]
In 1996 Rickman began touring with Sony recording artist, Maxwell.[1]
In 2000, he toured with Meshell Ndegeocello as well as performing on her album, Cookie.[1]
In 1999, Rickman joined Cosmic Dapp Theory which was soon renamed Dapp Theory. The group featured pianist/composer Andy Milne. Sean recorded, produced and toured with the group for the albums New Age of Aquarius, Y’all Just Don’t Know and Layers of Chance.
During 1999 through 2007 Rickman remained with Dapp Theory.
In 2002, his first DVD entitled “Compositional Drumming” was released, followed by clinics and lessons in the US.[4]
In 2007, Rickman joined the fusion band, Garaj Mahal and remains as a member although the group is on undefined hiatus.[5]
In 2011, Rickman was selected as drummer for the “Tribute to Miles” 2011 tour by Marcus Miller, featuring Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.[2]