Alex Palmer
My name is Alex Palmer and I'm the drummer for Azamiah. The music we make together is built on collective improvisation and arrangement, an approach that weaves in each member's voices and influences producing a free flowing sound that, despite being rooted in groove jazz, nu-soul and choral music, strives to be unbound by genre - and limitless.
Previous and current projects I've been involved in as a session and full time capacity inform my versatile and inventive drumming style, and they include Nimbus Sextet, Unharm, Blue Giant Orkestar, Kai Reesu, Doom Scroller and Logan's Close.
I take inspiration broadly, feeding an appetite for the subversive and eccentric, from such drummers like Dave King, Mark Guiliana, Jojo Mayer, Nate Wood and Makaya Mcraven... plus bands like Hiatus Kaiyote, Horse Lords, Deerhoof and The Smile.
I've performed at Islay Jazz on two occasions for the Nicole Smit band and Astrosnax. My first time with Nicole I was treated to a beautiful church venue and sold out audience, and had a blast at the late gig sampling whisky and for the first time crossing over with some brilliant Glasgow musicians I now call friends and work with, at a point where I was mostly based in Edinburgh early in my career.
The second occasion last year with Astrosnax was an equally exciting gig playing with young up-and-coming jazz musicians including Simon Herberholz and Ewan Johnstone, however it was also memorable for the ferry cancellation chaos after due to stormy weather!
All in all I'm very excited to be back on the island playing with a project I'm very proud to be part of and presenting music we've all worked on together.
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