Paul Stivitts
Paul Stivitts
Paul Stivitts has been a drummer since age 8 when he first saw Buddy Rich perform on the Muppet Show. A consummate professional, he’s been performing, recording, teaching, directing, and composing music for more than 25 years.
Paul began his rudimental percussion experience at Live Oak High School in 1987. He was a snare drummer in the World Champion 1989-1990 (Ralph Hardimon, Glen Crosby, Scott Johnson), and the section leader for the Denver Blue Knights, 1992 (Ralph Hardimon, Ben Maughmer). Then he graduated from The University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies where he studied with renown teachers Tom Float, Paul Rennick, Jim Chapin, and Ed Soph.
Paul’s exciting musical career has taken him to 48 states, 15 European Nations, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Russia, and Turkey. In this boundless journey around the globe, his musical diversity has led to touring and recording as a drumset artist with: Jazz legend Maynard Ferguson, Lauryn Hill, Airto, Jamie Benjamin, Brave Combo, James Blunt, Burlap to Cashmere, Braddigan, Billy Childs, Peter Christlieb, Dispatch, Susan Enan, Evensong Rising, Stan Getz, Dave Grusin, Slide Hampton, Will Goodwin, Guster, Diana Krall and the Henri Mancini Orchestra, Taylor Hicks, Vertical Horizon, Wayne Krantz, Dave Liebman, Toby Lightman, Bob Mintzer, Jon Regen, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Shuur, Train, Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, Gary Willis, and many others. As a Grammy Award nominated artist, Paul divides his time between performing, recording, and teaching drums and percussion in NYC, and Brazil.
Teaching Experience:
Percussion Instructor Tchá Degga Da - São Paulo & Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2010
Private Instruction in Flood Studios- Brooklyn, NY 2005-present
Private Percussion Instructor of Ridglea Music - Ft. Worth, TX, 2000-03
Hartwick Summer Music Institute - Oneanta, NY 1999-2002
UNT Yamaha Summer Drumset Workshop - Denton, TX 1996-2000
L. D. Bell High School- Hurst, TX 1994
Live Oak High School - Morgan Hill, CA 1990
