Jan-Vincent Velazco

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, Diamond Black
Website Official website

Jan-Vincent Velazco is a UK-based drummer, session rock musician and composer.[1] He is a current member of Pendragon after the recommendation of Craig Blundell, drummer for Steven Wilson and Frost*.[2] He also plays with Diamond Black with Ben Christo of The Sisters of Mercy and Night by Night, Raymond Watts of KMFDM [3][4] and previously with Control.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

Later that year, both Pendragon and Craig decided that Velazco would become the new permanent drummer for the band[8] and in 2016 they announced a string of European headline shows in Germany, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Poland, Belgium and the UK[9] 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.[10]

Whilst in Pendragon, Velazco has played alongside Dream Theater, Marillion, Scorpions, Pain of Salvation, Steve Hackett, Blue Oyster Cult, Saxon, FM, Anathema, Gregg Allman and Camel and has also toured Europe, Japan and North America.

Diamond Black

In 2017, Velazco joined Diamond Black which was founded by Ben Christo,[11] The debut single was released on October 20, 2017, and received public praise from Metal Hammer, W.A.S.P. and Deathstars, with Piggy D of Rob Zombie and Mark Thwaite of The Mission sharing the video on their social media. Sony Pictures Television channel Scuzz set the track on rotation and Bass Guitar Magazine ran a feature on the band. On December 12, a limited edition physical copy of the single was released from the band’s website, selling out in 2 hours, which included Ben Christo's hand-written lyrics as part of the CD package. In February 2018, it was announced that Diamond Black will be main support act to Cellar Darling on their UK tour in April.

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.[12]

Endorsements

Velazco uses and officially endorses Tama Drums, Sabian, D’Addario (Evans Drumheads and Promark), Audix, Protection Racket and Drumtacs.[13]

Discography

Albums

  • Masquerade 20 Live (2017)

DVD

  • Masquerade 20 Live DVD (2017)

References

  1. ↑ "Jan-Vincent Velazco". www.imdb.com/name/nm5224371. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  2. ↑ "Pendragon Masquerade 20" (in French). 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  3. ↑ "The Sisters Of Mercy Guitarist Ben Christo launches Diamond Black - HighWire Daze". HighWire Daze. 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  4. ↑ "Exclusive World Premiere- Diamond Black". Metal Talk. 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  5. ↑ "Control-2Piece Progressive Band". Guardian Witness. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  6. ↑ "Jan-Vincent Velazco". Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  7. ↑ "Jean-Vincent VELAZCO, batteur provisoire de PENDRAGON". Prog-Mania (in French). 2015-06-22. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  8. ↑ "JCan we keep'im ma?". 2015-09-14. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  9. ↑ "Pendragon reveal Masquerade Overture shows". Classic Rock Prog. 2016-02-11. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  10. ↑ "Pendragon - preview of the "Masquerade 20" DVD!". Metal Mind Productions. 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  11. ↑ "The Sisters Of Mercy Guitarist Ben Christo launches Diamond Black - HighWire Daze". HighWire Daze. 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  12. ↑ "Jan-Vincent Velazco Bio". www.jan-vincentvelazco-drums.co.uk/biography.htm. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
  13. ↑ "Jan-Vincent Velazco". www.jan-vincentvelazco-drums.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-03-11.
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