Sean Kennedy

American Drum Set and Percussion artist Sean J. Kennedy is the drummer for The Gardyn Jazz Orchestra and The Doc Severinsen Tribute Band, featuring Jay Webb and has been principal percussionist with the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale since 2004.   He is a multi-faceted musician who is equally accomplished on the stage, in the recording studio, and in the classroom. He has performed on drumset and percussion receiving standing ovations at sold-out venues such as Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall with world renowned acts like  Il Volo,  Roger Daltry and The Who, Evanescence, Lindsey Stirling, The Philly POPS! Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Jacksonville Symphony, The Strauss Symphony of America, The Allentown Band, The Allentown Symphony Orchestra, and The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. Kennedy was appointed to the Percussive Arts Society Drum Set Committee in 2021, is the author of numerous drum set, percussion and improv books and in 2018 was invited to present a TEDx Talk about the history of the drumset, titled: Happy Accidents: Drumming Up Serendipity.  Jazz legend Dave Brubeck stated that Sean’s drumming, “… sounds like it should—it swings!”

Kennedy earned a master’s degree in Percussion Performance and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from West Chester University, and is an Artist Endorser for Canopus Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Ludwig-Musser Percussion, Casio Keyboards, One Beat Better, Grover Pro Percussion, The Drum Wallet and Evans Drumheads. He is also a member of the American Federation of Musicians, is a registered composer, songwriter, and publisher with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and is a voting member of the Recording Academy (NARAS).