Rick Shadrach Lazar

Rick was voted Canadian Percussionist of the Year in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001. A busy session musician, he is also the founder and leader of the global jazz sextet Montuno Police and the 30-member Samba Squad, one of the most sought-after acts on the Canadian Latin music scene.

Rick has released 4 CDs with his global jazz group Montuno Police, one of which was nominated for a Juno (Best Contemporary Jazz Album), in 1995. He has also released one CD with his percussion group Samba Squad which won the Urban Music Awards Canada for ³Best World Recording 2001.²

Rick has worked and recorded with a wide range of creative artists in the Canadian music scene: Loreena Mckennitt, Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Cook, Paul Shaffer, Maryam Tollar, and Jeff Healey to name a few.

Having established a reputation as a clinician by giving informative and exciting workshops in world music drumming styles (Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and Arabic), Lazar became a music educator in 1996 when he joined the percussion faculty at the Humber College of Music in Toronto as an instructor, leading Latin Music Ensembles and giving private lessons.

In 2003, Rick became part of the York part-time faculty, teaching courses in Escola de Samba, Cuban music and giving private lessons in drum kit and hand drums.

Rick has a B.A. (History major) from Lakehead University, and has also studied   percussion at Indiana University's famed school of music.

Rick's knowledge of world drums and music combines with his passionate energy to create a unique percussionist who is first call for a diverse array of artists. and a pivotal force in contemporary fusion and world music.

www.montunopolice.com
www.sambasquad.com