Musician and composer Alasdair Pennington has in recent years established himself as a distinct and creative voice on the drum kit within the vibrant London jazz and improvised music scenes. An in-demand sideman, Pennington has performed and recorded with many eminent, international artists across genres including Helen Sung, Baptiste Herbin, Laura Jurd, Michael Dease, Alan Barnes, Dennis Rollins and The Flaming Lips among others. His considered, expressive and rhythmically adept musical contributions with various projects have garnered much positive acclaim, including from Downbeat Magazine (Howard Mandel): “Pennington’s a kick-ass drummer”.

In October 2024, Pennington released his debut album This Is on Hidden Threads Records. The album was described by Jazz Journal as “a highly listenable collection which in places harks back to the sound of American jazz from the 50s and 60s” and a “cinematic jazz voyage” by Plastic Magazine.

Pennington has performed at many celebrated venues and festivals throughout the UK, Europe and beyond including Manchester Jazz Festival, Lancaster Jazz Festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, EFG London Jazz Festival, Mas I Mas Festival, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Vortex Jazz Club, Leeds Town Hall, Cafe Oto, Porgy & Bess Jazz Club, Jamboree Jazz Club, Café Berlín, Philly Joe’s Tallinn & Take 5 Jazz Club.

Pennington’s musicianship has been heavily influenced by many pioneering Black American musicians of the 20th Century including Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Cobb, “Philly Joe” Jones, Ed Thigpen, Art Taylor, Tony Williams, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane among many, many others.

In 2017, Pennington was one of three UK applicants to be selected for the Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colony program at the Brubeck Institute in California. During this “intensive educational program in jazz performance for a limited number of exceptionally talented students” he received tuition from celebrated American musicians and educators including pianist Donald Brown (Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers) and saxophonist Steve Wilson (Chick Corea, Christian Mcbride).

Over the years, Pennington has received tuition from renowned players and educators in the UK and the USA including John Riley, Lewis Nash, Tim Giles, Dave Walsh, Dave Hamblett, Martin France, James Maddren and Gregory Hutchinson. 

Alasdair Pennington is endorsed by Bosphorus Cymbals.