Hire James Kempton | Drummer in Luton

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From£160

1 hour

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Watch & Listen

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Charlie Puth - How Long (Drum cover)

Yo Darlin - NSG ft Geko Drum Cover

Jax Jones, Years and Years - Play (Drum Cover)

About James Kempton

I am a professional drummer based in Bedfordshire, UK. I've played 500+ shows including toured Europe supporting Khalid and Soul II Soul.

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Drummer

Luton

I have been playing since 2005 and have been professional since 2016. Some of my biggest achievements - Supporting Soul II Soul, Khalid, Jessie Ware and Bruno Mars. Making my first TV appearance on Blue Peter in 2016. I love every genre of music and have had experience playing a lot of genres; Soul, funk, reggae, rock, jazz, pop, etc. I am a quick learner and give everything my all. I'm currently touring with Ben Portsmouth - An Elvis Presley Tribute Act, and have been since February 2019. I had 1 week notice prior to the first gig, I charted my notes and went in with no rehearsal on a 3 hour gig of Elvis songs. I can play to clicks and backing tracks and can also make tracks as a Musical Director. I can read and write drum music, I also teach privately. I have all necessary equipment for whatever is needed and all my equipment is well looked after. I thrive off being on stage and performing. I give off lots of energy and adapt well to different gigs. I have played all over the UK and Europe. I am available to be your drummer or dep for an absent drummer.

James Kempton's Reviews

I booked James for a music video shoot where I needed a drummer. James was a delight to work with as he made everything seem so easy and stress free. An absolute pleasure to work with and will be calling again.

I called on James after I went sick a day before a big gig. James was available and was eager to get the job done. I had compliments from the rest of the band about James too. Brilliant work.

Encore badges

4th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 4 years

James Kempton's Song list

Standard Wedding Songs :

Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) – Beyoncé

Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams

Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses

Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Michael Bublé

Dancing in The Moonlight – Toploader

On the Floor – Jennifer Lopez

Valerie – Amy Winehouse

Marry You – Bruno Mars

Walking On Sunshine – Katrina & The Waves

Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners

Gimme All Your Lovin – ZZ Top

I Wanna Dance With Somebody – Whitney Houston

9 to 5 – Dolly Parton

Mr. Brightside – The Killers

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!

(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes

I’ll Be There for You – The Rembrandts

Macarena – Los del Río

Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…) – Lou Bega

As Long As You Love Me – Backstreet Boys

I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ – Scissor Sisters

Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker

Power of Love – Huey Lewis & The News

The Best – Tina Turner

Friday I’m In Love – The Cure

Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s

Live and Let Die – Guns N’ Roses

One Love – Blue

We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off – Jermaine Stewart

C’est La Vie (You Never Can Tell) – Pulp No Pulp

Club Tropicana – Wham!

Is This The Way To Amarillo – Tony Christie

Man! I Feel Like a Woman! – Shania Twain

Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

Sexy and I Know It -LMFAO

Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder

Walk Like an Egyptian – The Bangles

Crocodile Rock – Elton John

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Everybody Have Fun Tonight – Wang Chung

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

Footloose – Kenny Loggins

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Heads Will Roll – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Living on A Prayer – Bon Jovi

Reach – S Club 7

Y.M.C.A – Village People

All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor

Always – Bon Jovi

Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston

Hakuna Matata – The Lion King

Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani

I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas

It’s Raining Men – Geri Halliwell

Love Is In The Air – Tom Paul Jones

Mamma Mia – ABBA

The One And Only – Chesney Hawkes

A Groovy Kind of Love – Phil Collins

All I Want Is You – Barry Louis Polisar

Beautiful People – Labrinth

Best Song Ever – One Direction

CAN’T STOP THE FEELING! – Justin Timberlake

Could It Be Magic – Take That

Everyday People – Various Artists

Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac

I Was Born To Love You – Freddie Mercury

Lay All Your Love On Me – ABBA

Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face – Roberta Flack

Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Together in Electric Dreams – Giorgio Moroder and Philip Oakley

Father Daughter Dance – Wayne Jacobs

If I Fall to Your Heart – Derwent Hannon

Call Me Maybe – Carly-Rae Jepsen

All Of Me – John Legend

James Kempton's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£63
Up to 1 hour	£160
Up to 2 hours	£250
Up to 3 hours	£325

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

The energy and fun that I give off. I always stay humble and get the job done.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

So many but here's a few highlights : AFAS Live - Amsterdam WildLife Festival Main Stage - Brighton Ronnie Scotts - London Rock City - Nottingham

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Larnell Lewis, Matt Helders, Tony Royster Jr. Bob Marley.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Either the European Tour I did supporting Khalid or 2 shows I did supporting Soul II Soul.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I'm always as flexible as I can be. If any timings change then just let me know as soon as possible.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I can DJ before/between/after, I have been doing DJ functions for over 3 years now so I can provide this service. Price can be negotiated.

How much time do you need to set up?

I can set my drums up in about 30 minutes but obviously the load in time depends on what venue it is. But normally I allow myself 45/60 minutes to load in, set up and be comfortable.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Just let me know what you want me to play and I'll play it.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, I bring everything I need.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes, within a reasonable time frame.

Musicianship

Genres:

Pop, Film / TV music, Musical theatre, Electronic, Ambient, Jungle, House, Garage, Drum 'n' Bass, Breakbeat, Electro-Swing, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Folk rock, Traditional English folk, Jazz, Blues, Modern jazz, Jazz fusion, Ragtime, Swing, Gospel, Easy listening, Experimental, Light music, Originals, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Covers, Disco, Funk, Funk rock, R&B, Motown, Hip Hop, Soul, Top 40, Tribute, Rock, Alternative rock, Britpop, Classic rock, Glam rock, Indie, Punk rock, Synth rock, Rock 'n' Roll, Pop rock, Afrobeat, Reggae, Ska, Polish music

See all genres

Instruments:

Drums, Percussion, Bass guitar

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Event types:

Concert, Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve

See all event types

Other skills:

Producer, Drum technician, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching

See all skills