Jan-Vincent Velazco
Jan-Vincent Velazco is a UK-based Filipino drummer, session rock musician and composer.[1][2] He is a current member of Pendragon after the recommendation of Craig Blundell, drummer for Steven Wilson and Frost*.[3] He also plays with Raymond Watts of KMFDM,[4][5][6] Ben Christo of The Sisters of Mercy (Diamond Black and Night by Night)[7][8] and previously with Control.[9]
Jan-Vincent Velazco | |
---|---|
Birth name | Jan-Vincent Velazco |
Genres | Rock, progressive rock, alternative metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician, Session drummer |
Instruments | Drums, percussion |
Years active | 1990s–present |
Associated acts | Pendragon, Raymond Watts |
Website | Official website |
Early life
Velazco started playing drums at the age of 13. He was a self-taught drummer at first then later studied at Yamaha Music Foundation whilst playing in several bands until college. In 2012, he moved to Guildford, UK to study at the Academy of Contemporary Music and graduated with a Higher Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance before moving to London a year later.[10]
Pendragon
In July 2015, Pendragon were scheduled to perform at Night of the Prog in Germany and Ramblin' Man Fair United Kingdom together with acts like Neal Morse and Scorpions but due to commitments for the Steven Wilson tour, Craig Blundell was unable to appear with the band so recommended Vincent to stand in for him for these 2 shows.[11]
Later that year, both Pendragon and Craig decided that Velazco would become the new permanent drummer for the band[12] and in 2016 they announced a string of European headline shows in Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Poland, Belgium and the UK[13] with support from John Young of Lifesigns/Bonnie Tyler.
They also recorded their live DVD from Katowice, Poland and an interview from Metal Mind Productions.[14]
Whilst in Pendragon, Velazco has played alongside Dream Theater, Marillion, Scorpions, Pain of Salvation, Steve Hackett, Blue Öyster Cult, Saxon, FM, Anathema, Gregg Allman and Camel and has also toured Europe, Japan and North America.
Session and Other Works
Aside from touring, Velazco does recording work for different bands in his London studio. He has also worked for Strictly Come Dancing, as one of the drummers for Ellie Goulding at the 2014 Brit Awards performing her hit single Burn, appeared on a Lexus Car TV Commercial and played drums at the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony.[15]
Endorsements
Velazco uses and officially endorses Tama Drums, Sabian, D’Addario (Evans Drumheads and Promark), Audix, Protection Racket and Drumtacs.[16]
Discography
Albums
- Masquerade 20 Live (2017)
- The First 40 Years (2019)
- Love Over Fear (2020)
DVD
- Masquerade 20 Live DVD (2017)
References
- "Jan-Vincent Velazco |". www.imdb.com/name/nm5224371. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- "Jan-Vincent Velazco-Sabian Cymbals". Sabian. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- "Pendragon Masquerade 20" (in French). 22 June 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- "Killing Joke/PIG- Laugh at Your Peril". Regen Magazine. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- "Killing Joke and PIG - Live in Baltimore". Torched Magazine. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- "PIG Risen Album". Rock and Roll Fables. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- "The Sisters Of Mercy Guitarist Ben Christo launches Diamond Black - HighWire Daze". HighWire Daze. 15 October 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- "Exclusive World Premiere- Diamond Black". Metal Talk. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- "Control-2Piece Progressive Band". Guardian Witness. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
- "Jan-Vincent Velazco". Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- "Jean-Vincent VELAZCO, batteur provisoire de PENDRAGON". Prog-Mania (in French). 22 June 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- "JCan we keep'im ma?". 14 September 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- "Pendragon reveal Masquerade Overture shows". Classic Rock Prog. 11 February 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- "Pendragon - preview of the "Masquerade 20" DVD!". Metal Mind Productions. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- "Jan-Vincent Velazco Bio |". www.jan-vincentvelazco-drums.co.uk/biography.htm. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
- "Jan-Vincent Velazco |". www.jan-vincentvelazco-drums.co.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2018.