Episode 22. Sebastiaan de Krom (Drums) - 'I Got Rhythm'

Geoff is at the Troubadour club in London with the highly acclaimed jazz drummer Sebastiaan de Krom.

When a jazz bassist and drummer have played together for 25 years, there's a musical telepathy that can't be taught—it can only be earned through countless gigs, recording sessions, and miles on the road. In this revealing conversation, Sebastiaan opens up about his remarkable journey from banging on pots and pans as a toddler in Holland to becoming one of the UK’s most respected jazz drummers and educators.

Sebastiaan shares the unique way his drummer father taught him—starting with just a snare drum and "earning" additional pieces as he progressed. His story winds through an unexpected year studying law before winning a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, followed by acceptance to the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute (now the Herbie Hancock Institute). These formative experiences set the stage for his eventual move to London in 1999, where he and Geoff would form a musical partnership that included eight years touring the world with Jamie Cullum.

Throughout their conversation, Sebastiaan reveals deep insights into the art of jazz drumming. He unpacks why Philly Joe Jones remains his greatest influence, demonstrating specific techniques that define Jones' distinctive sound. "His triplet feel is really right in the pocket," Sebastiaan explains, before playing examples that illuminate the subtle differences between drum legends. Jazz aficionados will appreciate Sebastiaan's detailed breakdown of how he approaches playing melodies on drums and building solos from simple motifs.

The most moving moments come when Sebastiaan recounts playing with jazz giants Gene Harris (piano) and Clark Terry (trumpet) — experiences he describes as transcendent. "It was like I was a marionette... it didn't matter what I did, he'd make it sound great." This sense of musical freedom beyond ego or technical concerns remains his ideal.

For anyone passionate about jazz, drumming, or the lifelong pursuit of musical excellence, this conversation offers rare insights from two veterans who've lived the music from the bandstand to the recording studio. Catch Sebastiaan every Sunday at London's historic Troubadour, where he continues the tradition of piano-less jazz inspired by Sonny Rollins—creating space for the music to breathe in new and exciting ways.

Presenter: Geoff Gascoyne
Series Producer: Paul Sissons
Production Manager: Martin Sissons
The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.