EPK

BIOGRAPHY

LARNELL LEWIS is a Grammy Award winning musician, composer, producer, and educator. Based in Toronto, has established himself among the most diverse and in-demand drummers in the world. Since 2012, Larnell has been playing with three time Grammy Award winning band, Snarky Puppy. Larnell leads successful ensembles of his own and has toured the globe with highly reputable contemporary musicians, including Quincy Jones, Laila Biali, Jeremy Ledbetter, Etienne Charles, Gregory Porter, Benny Golson, Lalah Hathaway, Jacob Collier, John Scofield, Pat Metheny, Lisa Fisher, Kurt Elling, Gary Burton, and more. Larnell’s immense talent, fierce creativity, and evolving musical style keep him in-demand as a collaborator for artists internationally. In June 2018, Larnell independently released his debut album, In The Moment. This project explores Larnell’s deep connection to jazz, fusion, and his Afro-Caribbean roots. The album features performances from a wide range of musicians such as fellow Snarky Puppy band mates Shaun Martin, Mark Lettieri, Juno Award winners Mike Downes, Robi Botos, and many others. His latest release, Relive The Moment, (Nov. 2020) is a reimagining of his compositions from In The Moment, with new drum performances, recorded at Jukasa Studios. In addition to his success as recording artist, performer, and director, Larnell is a dedicated Music Educator. He is a Professor of Music at Humber College, Canada's most respected institution for post-secondary music education. Whether performing on the world stage with internationally acclaimed artists, or playing local gigs in Toronto, Larnell Lewis is consistently a passionate and joyful creator, as well as one of the most skilled, musical drummers today. Larnell Lewis is endorsed by Yamaha Drums, Zildjian, Promark, Evans, D’Addario, Prologix, and Latin Percussion.

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

The City Lights - Drum Solo

Beignets - Reprise Jam

Larnell Lewis - No Access

SELECTED AWARDS, NOMINATIONS, AND GRANTS

  • 2023: Grammy Award - Contemporary Instrumental Album of the Year (Snarky Puppy)

  • 2020: Grammy Award - Best Latin Pop Album (Alejandro Sanz)

  • 2021: Ontario Creates - Music Creation Grant - Music and Content Creation/Slice of Life

  • 2021: Canada Council for the Arts - Explore and Create- Research & Creation -Solo Show 

  • 2020: Canada Council for the Arts - Selected Artist to Represent Canada at Jazzahead Germany

  • 2020: FACTOR - Juried Sound Recording - Slice of Life

  • 2020: Ontario Arts Council - Music Production and Presentation Projects Grant - The Remixes

  • 2019: Juno Award Nomination - Jazz Album of the Year: Solo ‘In the Moment’ (debut album released June 2018)

  • 2019: Toronto Musician’s Association - Musician of the Year Award

  • 2018: Canada Council for the Arts - Touring Grant - Arts Across Canada

  • 2018: Ontario Arts Council - Louis Applebaum Composers Award Nomination

  • 2018: Ontario Arts Council - Music Recording Projects Grant 

  • 2017: Grammy Award - Contemporary Instrumental Album of the Year (Snarky Puppy)

  • 2017: Ontario Arts Council - Music Production and Presentation Projects Grant

  • 2017: Toronto Arts Foundation - Emerging Jazz Artist Award

  • 2015: Toronto Arts Council - Recording Grant

  • 2014: Ontario Arts Council - Access and Development Grant

  • 2012: FACTOR - Demo Grant

  • 2004: Oscar Peterson Award - Humber College Music

  • 2003: Yamaha Kando Award - MusicFest Canada