Drums United

Drums United is an explosive and exciting world-percussion group led by multi awarded drummer Lucas van Merwijk, that brings together rhythms and percussionists from all directions.
It’s a smoking live band that not only gives the audience an opportunity of listening and watching top players, but also imparts the underlying message that people from widely varying nationalities can work well together.

On both its previous show World of Rhythm and the current Ritmo Inferno the group mixes African, Latin, Spanish and Indian drum traditions with western drumming, utilizing contemporary electronic options open to the DJ.

Since its inception in 2002 the band has been virtually on tour all the time. Their first theatre program World Of Rhythm was recorded live and is out now on DVD as well as CD.

Drums United occupies a unique place in the world of percussion groups by combining elements of the rich traditions of percussion with those of song and dance.

Lucas has been at the forefront of the European jazz, latin and percussion scene for over 30 years He was elected 'Best Jazz drummer' in the Benelux countries by the readers of De Slagwerkkrant many times running between the years 1993 and 2020.

Press Quotes

‘...Drums United hits you like a bomb...’ Amersfoort Cultuur ‘.

..Driving, always overwhelming drums... Heartbeat is a revelation... ’ Mixed Magazine

‘...The magic of drums...ein Supersound...’ Sticks Magazine

‘...It's the extraordinary level of playing that makes this group so unique. What else can you expect, if you bring together the finest players and let them do what they do best!...’ The Telegraph

‘...One of the best Latin Drummers In The World...’ The Parool ‘

...Drums United has it all...’ De Slagwerkkrant

"A really amazing journey through the many path's of drums, percussion, and world music. Five stars all the way!!!!"

Horacio 'eL NEgRO' Hernandez.

" I remember when I first met Lucas, it was many years ago, as a member of Nueva Manteca. I was very impressed with his musicality, and he was my introduction to the great Dutch drum scene. I've been a fan of his drumming since first hearing him, then in 2000, had the pleasure of touring with him and Aly N'Diaye Rose, in the very first version of Drums United, as part of The Big Bang. There was just the two of them, but it sounded like many more!!! Today, their numbers have increased, and this great live DVD showcases real "world" drumming at its best. Congratulations to Lucas, and Drums United."

David Garibaldi (Tower of Power)



Discography

World of Rhythm cd Tam Tam Records

World of Rhythm dvd Tam Tam Records

Ritmo Inferno dvd Tam Tam Records

Heartbeat cd Tam Tam Records

Rhythm Dreams cd Tam Tam Records



Artists who worked with Drums United

Aly N'Diaye Rose (Senegal)

Misirli Achmet (Turkey)

Pape Thiam (Senegal)

DJ Kokos (The Netherlands)

Nuria Manglano (Spain)

Andres Marin (Spain)

Vince Mendoza (USA, Multiple Grammy Award Winner)

Luis de Luis (Spain)

Gerardo Rosales (Venezuela)

Ro Krom (The Netherlands)

Metropole Orchestra (Multiple Grammy Award Winner)

Artvark Saxophone 4Tet (The Netherlands)

Ryoko Imai (Japan)

Simone Sou (Brasil)

Julio Pimentel (Brasil)

Niti Ranjan Biswas (Bangla Desh)

Denise Jannah (Surinam)

Randal Corsen (Curaçao)



Drums United toured in

Canada, USA, Mexico, Colombia, China, Thailand, Surinam, Estonia, Germany, Norway, Belgium, Bulgaria, Turkey, Serbia, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria.